Second Rainforest Fringe Festival scheduled for July 6-15

April 4, 2018

(from fourth left) Joe, Abdul Karim, Hii and others give the thumbs-up during a photocall.

KUCHING: The second edition of Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) will be held here from July 6 to 15.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, there would be more showcases of cultural, contemporary, and traditional events which are representative of the state’s exciting and complex nature, and its many indigenous groups.

He said RFF is a prelude to the Rainforest World Music Festival which will be held from July 13 to 15 at Sarawak Cultural Village near here.

“The 10-day event will feature both local and international artists, performers, designers, photographers, and speakers. Among the programmes is the Indigenous Showcase,” he told a press conference at his office in Bangunan Baitulmakmur yesterday.

He added that this year’s RFF activities, to be held around the city, would bring a new experience to local and foreign tourists, compared to last year’s.

The festival director Joe Sidek said the state is renowned for its diverse cultural identities and traditions apart from its exciting eco-tourism attributes.

“The Rainforest Fringe Festival is all about Sarawak and is for everyone. It will be an exciting time for all to come together and be immersed in art and nature, history, tradition, culture and fun.

“This year’s RFF will be an all-inclusive and a complete sensuous experience.”

He said among the programmes are The indigenous showcase, First People Party, Bamboo That Binds and Wood, The Rainforest Stories and Yoga in the Wild.

“The Indigenous Showcase by Sarawak’s own creation presenting the tapestry of Sarawak’s indigenous groups through dance, songs, sounds and chants, will open the festival.

“The First People Party will be held at Black Box, Borneo 744 to celebrate together with the locals. The night performance by the electrifying soul band ‘Electric Fields’, will include Sarawak’s own At Adau, and Pete Kallang.”

Curated by a Sarawakian Wendy Teo, programmes for Bamboo That Binds and Wood, to be held at Borneo 744, aims to encourage innovative use of bamboo and wood.

Among the Rainforest Stories programmes will be the screening of films and documentaries that pay homage to Sarawak’s culture, with the highlight that is a film called ‘Cinta Gadis Rimba Liar’ by Datuk L. Krishnan.

Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee was also present at the press conference. -TheBorneoPost