Sibu Heritage Centre ideal for cultural activities

SIBU: There is a possibility that the town’s anchor event, International Folkdance, may be staged at the Sibu Heritage Centre.

The unique entrance to the centre, which doubles up as a stage with its open atmosphere, had been likened by members of the public to that of an ‘open amphitheatre’, making it an ideal venue for the event.

In fact, the final night of the International Dance Festival, featuring 10 dances from various countries were staged there on Saturday, which proved to a crowd puller.

Tourism players had also repeatedly called for more cultural activities to be staged there given the centre was associated with culture and heritage.

Pansar Bhd chairman Datuk James Tai said they were looking at ways to better utilise the place, which is strategically located in the centre of town.

“Of course, we can always foresee that the place will be better utilised given its strategic location. There is that possibility (for the folkdance to be staged there), but it depends on what type of folk dances.

“Nothing has been confirmed. Maybe there are certain types (of folk dances) that can be accommodated here, but might not be for all types,” Tai told reporters after the dance festival.

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Sibu Heritage Trail to promote Sibu as city of cultures and festivals

SIBU: The Sibu Heritage Trail at the Sibu Heritage Centre here was launched yesterday.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said the trail was another initiative of the council to promote Sibu as a city of cultures and festivals and a gateway to the central region of Sarawak.

Sibu Heritage Trail consists of nine heritage sites including the Old Mosque, Masjid An-nur, Rosli Dhobi Warriors Memorial, Old Muslim Cemetery, Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum, Hoover Memorial Square, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sibu Central Market, and Sibu Heritage Centre.

He said the whole loop measuring about 4km and took about an hour and half if one made brief stops at all the heritage sites.

“With its earliest settlement dating back to the 1800s, followed by the early immigration led by the late Wong Nai Siong, Sibu has grown by leaps and bounds into a major urban centre in Sarawak.

“All the heritage sites identified are of great significance in the development of Sibu town,” he said.

He said the council had printed brochures, which contained a walking map, old pictures, and information of each heritage site.

The brochures would be placed at tourist information centre, hotels, travel agents, taxis, and other locations in town.

He hoped that the local Sarawak tourism players such as travel agents, tourist guides, and taxi drivers would help to disseminate the trail to tourists and visitors.

Tiong meanwhile said the council had been promoting tourism on its own initiative since the early days.

For example, Pesta Sibu was initiated in the 1980s and had since become a frequent celebration for the local communities, he said.

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