Rainforest in The City not to be missed — Abdul Karim

June 19, 2019

Abdul Karim talks about the full RFF2019 programme at the press conference, accompanied by Joe (left), Lee (second left) and others.

KUCHING: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Mainmunah Iskandariah is expected to officiate at the launching ceremony of the Rainforest Fringe Festival 2019 (RFF2019) on July 5.

Among the highlights of the launching ceremony, which will be held at the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building, is the ‘Lembaran Emas: Songket and Keringkam of Sarawak’ fashion show.

In a press conference held yesterday at Level 2, Baitulmakmur Complex, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the fashion show would feature designs from Malaysia’s ‘King of Fashion’ Dato Sri Bernard Chandran and Sarawak’s own ‘Queen of Bornean Fashion’ Dato Tom Abang Saufi.

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“In addition, it would feature the exquisite designs of Sarawak songket producer Tanoti House and Sarawak’s emerging textile artisans; namely Manggees Collection, Tampan Keringkam, Keringkam Bahij and Seri Gedong Songket.

“We are very fortunate because her Majesty has agreed to officiate at the launch of the third edition of the Rainforest Fringe Festival, and she also agreed to give a speech at the launching ceremony,” Abdul Karim said.

RFF2019, Abdul Karim added, would feature over 30 events and activities that would be held over eight days until July 12.

“RFF2019 will showcase Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage with programmes presented in a wide range of genres at four major festival sites: the Old Courthouse, the old DUN building, the Kuching Waterfront Gardens and Borneo 744 at Bintawa.

“Other exciting programmes that festival-goers can enjoy include the inaugural Indigenous RFF Film Festival, which is a collaboration with Emmanuela Shinta and David Metcalf, the INK Kuching Tattoo Showcase, the Primates: At the Origin dance show and oral storytelling sessions called Invoices: Haunting Tales from Sarawak,” he enthused.

Other programmes lined up for RFF2019 include the culinary Dining Club: Plating the Wild and Lapis: Natural Edible Colours of Sarawak and Artisans@The Market, which would feature creative and lifestyle products from Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

Abdul Karim also informed that there would be a special collectors’ market selling rare, exotic and beautiful plants.

“Additionally, there would be the Art for Humanity project ‘Pasar Glam’, which is a pop-up vintage stall of pre-loved items, with all proceeds going exclusively towards the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society,” he added.

Also present at the press conference were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and RFF2019 director Joe Sidek. -TheBorneoPost