SIBU: Once again, after a hiatus of two years, this commercial town will be the focus of international dancers when it hosts the Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF) – Jejak Angin 2022 from June 9 to 11.
More than 100 dancers will attempt to outdo each other in the ninth edition of the festival. The popular event had to take a forced two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The is organised by Hornland Dance Theatre (HDT) and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
HDT artistic director Chen Ing Kuan said the objective of festival was to promote the state and the country as an international platform for dancers globally, and to feature the diversities of the world in the form of dances.
“It is hoped that with the addition of international dancers, the audience will get to see and experience for themselves a variety of performing arts right in Sibu.
“This festival is aimed to bring more dance enthusiasts together regardless of race, culture and ethnicity; to communicate and establish a connection among themselves and spread the love for dancing to a larger audience,” he told a press conference here on Tuesday (May 10).
According to Chen, who is also the director of SIDF, the event comprised various programmes including the welcoming night, a dance concert, outdoor site-specific performance, a workshop and seminar.
The dance concert will be over two nights from June 10 -11 at the Sibu Civic Centre, featuring performers invited by the organiser.
The dance workshop and seminar conducted by professional dance instructors are to be held at RH Hotel on June 10 and 11.
The Central Market Sibu will be the venue for the outdoor site-specific performance on the last day on June 11 before noon.
The SIDF welcoming night is limited to invited dance groups, guests, and VIPs.
“This event will no doubt be able to promote Sibu to the world as one of the many places to visit for performing arts, as well as to boost our own local dance cultures and performances to the world.
“We hope that this event will achieve its objective and aim and more dance artists will emerge, especially in the Land of Hornbill,” added Chen.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Hii Chang Kee who was at the press conference, pointed out that SIDF’s constant objective had always been to feature the diversities of the world with the art of dance performance, especially in Sibu, and certainly, to increase more dance arts devotees and aesthetes.
“Since we are now adapting to the new everyday life after entering the endemic phase, plus the recently relaxed standard operating procedures (SOPs), big events such as SIDF, can be helpful in assisting us to blend with the society again.
“However, it is still our job to watch out for our own well-being and to observe basic health and safety protocols,” Hii cautioned.
Tickets for SIDF are on sale from May 5. Early bird promotion for normal tickets (normal price RM50) is RM35 from May 5 to 20. VIP tickets cost RM100 each.
Further details are obtainable from – website http://sidfestival.com or contact Hornland Dance Theatre via tel. 084-349932.
