Sabah International Folklore Festival 2016: A night to remember

KOTA KINABALU: Dance troupes from all over the world staged an array of stellar performances at the Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) 2016 International Folklore Dance Competition, to the delight of a capacity crowd gathered at the Sabah Cultural Centre to watch one of the most awaited events of the year.

In yet another exciting show putting the spotlight on the melting pot of cultures, dance groups from 11 participating countries took to the stage to deliver their traditional dances based on their interpretation of this year’s SIFF 2016 theme “The Warrior”.

Bringing elegance and grace to the stage, dancers adorned in their South Korean folk dress presented a breath-taking cultural dance which captivated the audience.

The dance which was presented by the Kim Mija Dance Company, was traditionally performed for generals and soldiers returning from battle.

Among those at the festival were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who also launched the event on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman, as well as Mayor of Kota Kinabalu City, Datuk Yeoh Boon Hai.

The festival next headed to South Asia, putting the spotlight on Sri Lankan culture with young dancers from the RanRanga Dance Academy presenting a graceful starting performance before their older counterparts dazzled the crowd with an exhilarating traditional dance medley.

Irish group – the Gaellic Girls Dancing Troupe were clear crowd favourites of the night who performed a medley of exciting toe-tapping music of traditional Irish Jigs and reels in a dance based on an old Irish folklore about the mysterious Selkie, a mythical creature. According to Irish folklore, Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land.

Members of the audience cheered the host country took to the stage who delivered a hauntingly fascinating cultural Kelantanese dance which was traditionally performed for kings and warriors during the olden days.

Among the many fascinating shows of the night include the exciting Bhangra Desire Folk Art Club of India who really set the stage alive with their vibrant and lively Punjabi Warrior dance. The dance group of the Philippines also staged an exciting cultural performance of the Visaya tribe which drew loud cheers from the crowd.

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Colourful sneak preview of Sabah folklore festival

KOTA KINABALU: Colours and cultural music filled the city’s streets as teams of folk dancers rehearsed for the 10th annual Sabah International Folklore Festival here.

The teams practised at the Lintasan Deasoka area while roads were temporarily closed to make way for the annual competition that includes a parade.

A total of 17 teams will vie for the top spot in the International Folk Dance Competition, scheduled to be held from today to Saturday at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang.

Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the festival would act as a platform for cultural exchanges and bring people of different ethnic backgrounds together.

He said it was also a positive sign that there were more than 320 contestants this year, compared to 150 participants previously.

“I hope this festival will continue to be held in Sabah every year and with more participating countries so that our tourism industry will benefit,” he said.

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Sibu set to become a city of festivals

SIBU: Sibu is set to become a city of festivals as various cultural and festive activities are being held to enhance the cultural values of the townsfolk.

Revealing this at the Chinese cultural stage of Borneo Cultural Festival during the comic dialogue event on Saturday, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, who led his municipal team in realising the dream, said Borneo Cultural Festival had already proven to be a factor for consideration.

He said the festival was so successful that since its opening two Fridays ago, a crowd of 120,000 people had been estimated to have thronged Sibu Town Square by last Friday.

He estimated another crowd of 20,000 last Saturday night as he spoke during the comic dialogue event.

“The people love the festival, and from their response and participation in co-hosting it with us, Borneo Cultural Festival has been very successful.”

To spice up the cultural reputation of Sibu, he said the Tourism Ministry had decided to host another festival – the International Folk Dance Festival – beginning next year.

“Kuching has the World Rainforest Music Festival, Miri has its Jazz Festival, and now, folk dancing will be hosted annually in Sibu to draw in tourists.”

Tiong, who is also Lanang MP, said even before the proposal to host the grand world folk dance event next year, his council was already looking into another international dance event to be held this year dubbed ‘The International Dance Festival’ and the three-day event would kick off on Aug 22 at Sibu Civic Centre.

He said participating troupes would come from throughout the country and also from Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia.

“That’s not all. My municipal council expects to make Christmas celebration this year grander too.”

He said his council had written to 23 secondary schools, requesting them to decorate a giant Christmas tree each at the town square.

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Folk dance tourism boost for Sibu

Ministry putting Sibu on tourism map through International Folk Dance Festival

SIBU: The government will hold an annual International Folk Dance Festival starting next year here.

Folk dance troupes from around the world will be invited to perform with local folk dancers at the festival.

Tourism and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Haji Openg said this at the opening ceremony of the 10th Borneo Cultural Festival at Sibu Town Square.

“Such efforts will promote Sibu of Sarawak, and not Cebu of the Philippines, as the centre for folk dances,” he said in jest at the opening ceremony of the festival yesterday.

Among those present were Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee and Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman.

Abang Johari said his ministry would work together with Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) to promote various airlines and improve air connectivity to draw more tourists from around the world to the event.

STB had hosted the Borneo Rain Forest Musical Festival in Kuching and International Jazz Festival in Miri.

“The International Folk Dance Festival will put Sibu on the tourism map and go a long way to help boost Sibu as a tourism destination,” he added.

Abang Johari commended Wong for taking steps to bring change to Sibu.

“He is a hard working and dedicated minister who wants not only to bring change to Sibu but the whole of Sarawak.”

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