Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Sabah International Folklore Festival ‘pocket performance’ in city


KOTA KINABALU: The public is invited to attend a preview of the 7th Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) 2012 in the form of a ‘pocket performance’ at Lintasan Desoaka on July 10.

Prior to the performance, the participants will be parading around the city starting from Wisma Budaya before ending at the City Hall Building, said Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Bolkiah Ismail.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Bolkiah who is also the event’s main organizing committee chairman disclosed that the parade will start at 2pm and will include all the local and foreign participants.

However, he said, only the international participants would be performing at Lintasan Desoaka.

The annual SIFF, from July 8 to 17 this year, will see the participation of 18 primary and secondary schools as well as cultural troupes from 18 countries.

“This year, the new comers to the festival area Czech Republic, East Timor, Finland, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Kuwait and Nigeria. There will also be new participants in the schools’ category because in the past it was only for Sabah schools but this year, schools from Sarawak, Johor, Selangor and Pahang will be vying for the titles too.

“All in all, the number of participants including students will be about 900 and we are hoping that the spin-off from the event will be good,” Bolkiah said.

At the moment, about 60 per cent of the tables for the prime show on July 13 at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort have been sold, he said adding that those interested to purchase tables and tickets for the show can do so by contacting the Sabah Cultural Board at 088-268836 / 268808 or the Sabah Cultural Centre at 088-714464 / 715464.

Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Mahiruddin is expected to grace the prime show, he said, disclosing that for the prime show, tables are priced at RM10,000, RM5,000 RM3,000 and RM1,000 each.

The winners of SIFF 2012 will also be bringing home with them special ‘trophies’ which are carved out of driftwood by a local artist.

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