Be a vanguard of heritage preservation, embrace the dynamic nature of heritage, and celebrate the enduring legacies of Filipino traditions.

Bringing everyone closer to the cultural wonders of the Bangsamoro—this is how the kickoff ceremony of the 2023 National Heritage Month “Kadj’an” Bangsamoro Cultural Heritage Festival was done at the SKCC Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City, on May 29, which was joined by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), and other Ministries, Offices, and Agencies in BARMM.

The celebration is a 3-day exhibition and exposition of Bangsamoro cultural heritage. With the theme “Preserving the Bangsamoro Heritage through Living Tradition,” MENRE employees join the celebration to show support for the preservation and continuation of the Bangsamoro cultural heritage.

“Our cultural differences should not separate us but rather practice embracing each other’s respective strengths for a united Bangsamoro,” BARMM Senior Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama emphasized in his keynote message.

Every year, the Filipino people celebrate National Heritage Month to honor their rich cultural diversity. The nation’s “Heritage: Change and Continuity” theme emphasizes the dynamic nature of both heritage and heritage preservation as fields that are constantly changing and undergoing innovation. It also highlights the enduring legacies of Filipino traditions in a rapidly changing national and global context. Other speakers at the gathering indicated that this was also true for the Bangsamoro community, which is why this year is especially pertinent given the ongoing profound political and cultural transformations taking place in the nation.

Moreover, the kick-off ceremony concluded with the opening of the cultural booths showcasing the native delicacies, handicrafts, and other cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro.