KUCHING: Sarawak is seen as a goldmine with its wealth of culture, resources, music and medicinal potentials in the jungle.
Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) Artistic Director Randy Raine-Reusch said what Sarawak has to offer is best described as a jaw dropping moment for him.
“For an outsider like me, when I came to Sarawak and walked around, I found the State is truly amazing! When I say that it is a goldmine, people didn’t really understand what I meant.
“Aside from the people, the riches in culture, music, resources and medicines that are found in the jungle are truly gold,” he said during the launching of the Rainforest World Music Festival booklet at Baitulmakmur II Building on Tuesday (June 14).
However, he added, it is unfortunate that the people living here think that they are living in ‘lead’ instead of ‘gold’.
“I believe this is because you (the people living in Sarawak) are used to it. When you see the ‘gold’ everyday, you don’t even know that it is gold. But you have no clue just how amazing Sarawak is.
“That is why I am so happy that the book is published and documents the whole process,” he said.
In light of this, Randy said that when he first came here, Sarawak was quite different as there was no understanding and value of the culture here as there is now.
“Back then, there wasn’t this appreciation of who you are and this book shows the transition of it all – how it was back then and how it has changed over the years,” he said.
Furthermore, he pointed out that through festivals such as the RWMF, sape has become a worldwide phenomenon.
“People are coming to Sarawak to learn how to play sape and some even order sape online to learn how to play it in their own countries.
“There are even musicologists coming to study the cultures here. And I am really excited to see some young musicians here are actually making international careers playing sape.
“It is amazing to see that the traditional Sarawak music instruments are not hidden in the longhouses anymore. They are played on stage and on international TV where Sarawakians should be.
“Your culture is valuable and an international phenomenon. You need to share it with the world and I am sure that the world will be wow-ed with this amazing place,” he said.
On another matter, Randy pointed out that Sarawak has always been a step ahead.
“I remember ten years ago, I was shocked that people were walking around with 4G in their handphones while back in Canada, we only had 3G. I was out here in the jungle and I still had a 4G signal in my phone.
“It took two years after that for Canada to provide 4G. That is how far advanced Sarawak is,” he said.
On the festival, he stated that in the future, going to see live performances may be old fashion.
“Festivals should be made hybrids such as what RWMF is doing. We have to start looking at and make use of the advancement of technology for those who cannot physically be at the festival.
“For Sarawak offering this option, you are far ahead of the rest of the world. And that’s what makes Sarawak special,” he emphasised
