KUCHING: More arts and musical events will be organised soon in this city that is rich with its diversity, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“The state government through my ministry has always been given great support to support to organise events which could help to promote our rich local cultural heritage in the state,” he said during a press conference held in conjunction with Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (Sifma) event, here today.
Among those who will be performing in this year’s Sifma are Mandeville Stars and The Vocal Consort from Singapore, Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra from Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur’s Children Choir, and the state’s Sifma Orchestra.
Meanwhile, for the dance performances, there will be dancing troupes from Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries.
“Being the largest state in Malaysia, we have a unique and diverse culture that is widely practised and accepted by all of our local communities which consist of different ethnicities but living in perfect harmony.
This is also why we are supporting Sifma which is aimed to showcase to the world our unique culture grandeur and richness, he added.
Karim also stressed that through Sifma, he hoped to create a good avenue for international artistes from all over the world to come to Sarawak so that together we can showcase cultural talents and thereby giving opportunity to our local residents a window to see and develop their own arts here.
“We also hope eventually to entice Sarawakians who have also made a big name for themselves overseas to come back home in order to showcase their arts and to share with us their success story so as to inspire the local young people. The high standards of the all international artistes will also inspire our local people and I am very sure through these initiatives; many hidden talents will be nurtured as well as developed.
“This, in return, will ensure that the various arts that are often linked by heart, soul and artistry in millions of ways, to work together in a tapestry of finest artistic craftsmanship to develop Sarawak to be the fountain of richest performance and cultural arts in Asia,” he pointed out.
As we are strategically positioned in Asia, the minister hoped Sifma could help to attract the diverse cultural talents to come to Sarawak and showcase their best works while discovering the natural wonders of the state and hoped visitors will be awed by its unique cultural diversity as well as the beauty of its flora and fauna.
Karim also proposed that a centre for performing arts be established in Sarawak in order for the seeds of our initiatives to be planted and ready to be developed and nurtured to become foundations for the world stage.
Sifma that is to be held on June 28 and 29 at the Old DUN Building in Petra Jaya will be the last event to be held there before it will be closed down for renovation purposes.
