Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Overwhelming response for Rainforest World Music Fest, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia


By Achong Tanjong

The eighth Rainforest World Music Festival is going to be held in Sarawak Cultural Village - at its Auditorium, Iban Long-house, Dewan Lagenda and Melanau House - for two days from July 8, stated a press release.

Sarawak Tourism Board said that it will be divided into two parts; outdoor evening shows and after-noon workshops.

The organisers have planned many different programmes and activities. Over 90 musicians from all over the world are expected to participate.

There will be lectures and recitals on the history and culture of Butyat and Mongolian communities, rise of the Algerian Rai, as well as the roots of Thai music among other arts and traditions to be discussed.

The interactive workshops are usually well received by audiences.

Some of them will be on Gypsy, Malay, Iban and African Malinke dances.

Many different instruments will also be brought in through Kuching airport for the event.

In addition, a mini-fashion show on the different costumes of Sarawak tribes is also going to be presented.

Artistic Director Yeoh Jun Lin said that due to its overwhelming response, the committee has decided to control the sale of tickets.

They are available from Visitors' Information Centres in Kuching, Miri and Sibu as well as the Sarawak Cultural Village and Sarawak Tourism Board.

They can also be obtained by calling Rudy at 082-423600 or e-mailing rudy@sarawaktourism.com

The festival this year has the support of Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Sarawak, Malaysia Airlines, Unilever, Roots, Rainforest Tea, Biaramas and Telekom Malaysia.

Last year's event proved to be the most popular so far and attracted the biggest crowd in its history with about 20,000 attendees.

Tourists came from Brunei, Kalimantan, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore as well as Europe and the Western countries.

Courtesy of: Borneo Bulletin

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