Jason Brooke shares his love for Sarawak
KUCHING: Growing up, Brooke Trust director Jason Brooke always felt a connection to Sarawak knowing that his family tree has roots stretching on the other side of the world.
He was close to his grandfather – Anthony Brooke, who always encouraged Jason’s interest since he was 12.
“I was always interested in Sarawak, a historical place close to my heart since a young boy,” Jason told The Borneo Post yesterday ahead of the Brooke Gallery’s first anniversary celebration.
However, the last Rajah of Sarawak was in no hurry for his grandson to set foot on Sarawak’s soil. He asked Jason to wait until he was mature enough to appreciate what it meant to be a Brooke and their relationship with this land.
“I took that advice and I’m glad I did, because when I came here 10 years ago, I was just old enough, having just completed my post graduate study, to take it all in. It was all a bit overwhelming but that first trip completely changed my understanding of Sarawak.”
“It stopped being the stuff of stories, and became real.”
“It moved from being a historical place with black and white pictures, to a real vibrant living place full of beautiful people who showed such goodwill to my family during that period in history,” he said, adding that he has developed his own relationship with Sarawak since.
With goodwill and relationship over four generations, Jason knew
I was always interested in Sarawak, a historical place close to my heart since a young boy.
he has a responsibility to harness it in a positive way, resulting in the Brooke Trust and other projects.
“Actually having a relationship with Sarawak this past 10 years really changed my life. It’s become the most important thing in all that I do.”
Brooke Gallery is looking forward to organising more events after the success of yesterday’s Inaugural Cardboard Boat Race on the Sarawak River, and “History is cool! Young Historians’ Race at Fort Margherita.
They are also working on engaging the local community, especially the villages near the gallery.
Future plans for development include a tea room and gift shop. With the bridge and walkway connecting the Fort to Kuching Waterfront, Jason expects more visitors on foot.
Since opening its doors on Sept 24 last year, the gallery has received almost 30,000 visitors from 71 countries, including eight ambassadors, high commissioners and heads- of-state.
Jason anticipates 50,000 visitors in the second year of operation.
“It’s simply about getting better known. As a charitable enterprise which is very much community-driven there is limited budget.”
He mentioned that there could be a lot of publicity from the feature film ‘ The White Rajah’, which is in pre-production stage and hopes filming will start early next year.
“That would bring more tourists into Sarawak and the gallery is here to tell the story.” He added that there are also documentaries for BBC and PBS in the pipeline.
“Obviously we’ll be filming here and sending the message abroad, but hopefully the world will start to pay a bit more attention to Sarawak and her fascinating history.”
Fans of the Brooke Gallery can look forward to exhibitions and new additions to the permanent displays next year.
Jason said that there are interesting pieces of furniture from the Rajahs, and some jewellery made by Ranee Margaret that are over 100 years old which may go into display.
“We’re also thinking about having temporary exhibitions in the space downstairs because we want to take elements in the exhibition and expand them.”
Ranee Margaret adopted the Malay culture as shown by a picture in the fort of her wearing a beautiful Sarawak ‘keringkam’.
“We’ve been working with local artisans to preserve and revive the tradition of Sarawak ‘keringkam’. From pictures of Ranee Margaret we are trying to recreate the one she was wearing,” Jason said.
This might lead to an exhibition on Sarawak ‘keringkam’.
“We’re always open to ideas.”
Jason Brooke, Brooke Trust director