KUCHING: A Sarawak Gawai Dayak Celebration 2024 Roadshow has been launched in Singapore.
In view of this, a delegation from Sarawak is in Singapore to promote the range of exciting activities planned for the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebration.
The delegation comprises officials from the Sarawak government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representing the Dayak communities, and members of the Gawai Dayak Sarawak Celebration 2024 Working Committee.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah officiated at the launch of the roadshow at Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) on yesterday (May 20).
“The Gawai Dayak Roadshow showcases activities planned for visitors to experience and enjoy Sarawak’s treasure trove of unique cultures and rich heritage.
“With the support of the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore, Tourism Malaysia and STATOS, we can provide information about Gawai Dayak to Singaporeans,” he said in a press release.
He added that the celebration has positive impacts on society and the nation through education and culture understanding, cultural preservation and promotion, community development and entrepreneurship, and environmental management and conservation.
“With the programmes we have planned, I am pleased to invite fellow Malaysians residing in Singapore to come home and Singaporean tourists to participate in the Gawai Dayak celebration,” he said.
Meanwhile, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer Amelia Roziman stated that there will be three main packages namely the Bidayuh, Iban, and Orang Ulu packages, which can enable tourists and delegates to experience Sarawak’s multicultural mosaic.
“The Bidayuh and Orang Ulu packages were created by (BESarawak) for team building and theme party ideas targeting corporate group and social night ideas for conventions and exhibitions, while the Iban package was created by the Sarawak Tourism Federation for leisure tourists,” she said.
The roadshow highlights include a wide range of locally crafted and produced products from Sarawak, including rice wine (tuak), delectable treats, cookies, herbs, authentic pepper varieties, and handicrafts.
As part of the Gawai Dayak Celebration 2024, major events include the Gawai Dayak Bazaar, which will be held from May 16-26 at MJC Batu Kawa Kuching; the Gawai Dayak Carnival June 6-9 at Siburan, Serian; and the Gawai Dayak Cultural Parade taking place on June 15 at the Kuching Waterfront.
The Sarawak government will also feature these events in a Gawai Dayak Coffee Table Book and Tourism Brochure 2024, which will be launched in September.
Present at the launch were Deputy Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Deputy Permanent Secretary Aniela Siam; High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar; Tourism Malaysia Singapore deputy director Mohana Murni Shanmugam; and STATOS CEO Chew Chang Guan.
