SWINGING TIME:
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah rides the swing which the Melanau call ‘Itut’ at the Sibu Town Square Thursday evening. A ritual was earlier performed to ensure safety of people who play the big swing. The swing is part of activities for the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) this year. - Photo by Othman Ishak.
SIBU: The Borneo Cultural Festival ( BCF) can prove to the world that it is still possible to uphold unity amidst diversity, especially in turbulent times.
For the team who came out with this idea (BCF), we should thank them because this is something that can really bring a lot of good things to the business community in Sibu, as well as interactions among various communities in Sarawak. Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister
According to Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the annual event serves as a platform to create closer bond and understanding not only among townsfolk, but also Sarawakians as a whole.
“For the team who came out with this idea ( BCF), we should thank them because this is something that can really bring a lot of good things to the business community in Sibu, as well as good interactions among various communities in Sarawak.
“When lots of people come together like this, ethnic groups can showcase their respective cuisine and cultures.
“It also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to show what they have,” he said at the opening of BCF 2017 at the Town Square on Thursday night.
For Abdul Karim, this year’s theme ‘Beauty in Ethnic Diversity’ highlights the abundance of ethnic cultures and traditions in Sarawak, apart from promoting the charisma of Borneo to the world.
“The success of the event depends on the collaboration and cooperation among the communities and organisers,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the BCF strives to showcase the rich racial and ethnic cultures in Sarawak, particularly in the central region, to promote this town as the gateway to the state’s central region and also realising the vision of Sibu to become a ‘City of Culture and Festivals’.
“The richness of content in BCF attracted more than 500,000 visitors in 2016.
“I hope the number of visitors this year would increase, especially in conjunction with Visit Sibu Year 2017 campaign.”
Moreover, the minister said he was in the process of getting more flights into the state and hoped to receive good news on flight connectivity to Sarawak by end of this year.
Later, Abdul Karim announced an additional allocation of RM100,000 to Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) for the running of BCF 2017 – translating into a total of RM250,000 in government grants for the festival.
The Thursday night ceremony was witnessed by Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and SMC deputy chairperson Rogayah Jamain.