KUCHING: The third Cheongsam Festival 2024 will highlight Sarawak’s unique local batik culture, blending tradition with creativity to promote unity and celebrate cultural diversity.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the event offers participants the opportunity to incorporate local batik materials into their cheongsam outfits, showcasing Sarawak’s harmony and cultural fusion.
“This is more than just a cultural event. It is a celebration of the creative spirit of our people, uniting different traditions to create something uniquely Sarawakian,” he told reporters at the MBKS chamber today.
He said the event aims to not only honour Sarawak’s heritage but also attract more foreign visitors, contributing to the growth of local tourism, arts, and culture.
The festival, which will take place this Sunday (Oct 20) at 8 am at Kuching Park, has a central objective of fostering integration and unity among the state’s various ethnic communities.
“We hope this festival serves as a platform for celebrating our diversity, while fostering mutual understanding, care, and support among different communities,” said Wee.
The event will encourage women to participate and promote the cheongsam culture, celebrating the elegance and timeless beauty of Eastern fashion on a grand stage.
It will feature a host of activities, including a garden parade and cultural exchange, a Chinese round fan scenery painting activity, an instant photo booth, musical performances by Zhi Wei and My Destiny, a children’s colouring contest, and the highly anticipated Cheongsam Contest.
The cheongsam contest is open to women of all ethnic backgrounds, reinforcing the festival’s theme of unity and inclusiveness. It will be divided into two categories:
- Category A (Individual): Open to women aged 22 to 80, featuring traditional or modern cheongsam attire.
- Category B (Group): Open to groups of three to six people with no age limit, allowing costumes in either unified ethnic styles or a mixture of diverse cultural outfits.
Attractive prizes await the winners in both categories, with the champion receiving RM1,800, the first runner-up RM1,500, and the second runner-up RM1,200, along with a sash and bouquet. Consolation prizes will also be given to other participants.
The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Sarawak’s cultural heritage, unity, and creative spirit, leaving visitors with lasting memories and fostering deeper appreciation for the beauty of diversity.
