KUCHING, June 16 — The 20th edition of Rainforest World Music Festival slated from July 14 to 16 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in Damai, about 35km from here is expected to attract 20,000 festival goers.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said it would be an all-day event with the evening concert performances on two outdoor stages, the Jungle and Tree Stage, which will alternate without any breaks.
“All these events, including over 30 mini sessions of lecture-demonstrations, interactive dance tutorials and thematic session, will be held at the “Hall of Legends”, Iban longhouse, Bidayuh longhouse and Malay house,” he said.
This year 28 bands from around the globe will be participating. The groups are Abavuki from South Africa, Radio Cos (Spain), Achanak (India/United Kingdom), Ba Cissoko (Ginuea), Bitori (Cape Verde), Calan (Wales), Cimarron (Colombia), Didier Laloy and Kathy Adam (Belgium), Dom Flemons (United States), Hanggai (China), Huw Williams (Wales), Kelele (South Africa), Okra Olayground (Finland) and Pareaso (South Korea).
Others are Romengo (Hungary), Spiro (United Kingdom), Svara Samsara (Indonesia), Taiwu Ancient Balads Troupe (Taiwan), The Chipolatas (UK/Australia), Saing Waing Orchestra (Myanmar), The Paradise Bangkok Morlam International Band (Thailand), Tahiti E (Tahiti), One Drum.org (Malaysia), Ilu Leto (Sarawak), Sarawak Cultural Village (Sarawak), 1511 O Maliao Maliao Dance Troupe (Malaysia) and Lan E Tuyang (Sarawak).
He said other activities to be hosted, providing an experience steeped in the rich arts, culture and traditions of Borneo are history and exhibition of the sape, a traditional musical instrument; cultural talks; exhibition by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre; Brazilian samba workshop and Pustaka Bookaroo children’s workshops.
There will also be a food and vendor mart (Asian food kitchen and Sarawak culinary heritage) besides the Rainforest World Crafts Bazaar (RWCB).
Abdul Karim said prelude to this year’s festival, the organiser have come up with something new called the “Rainforest Fringe” apart from the shows that would be held at the festival site.
He said a number of events will be held in and around the city under the Rainforest Fringe programme at the Old Court House (Sarawak Tourism Complex), Kuching Waterfront Hotel, Kuching Amphitheatre and Telang Usan Hotel. — Bernama
