KK’s festival of artistic lights Lampoopalooza to be held annually — Liew

Lampoopalooza, a festival of artistic lights, will be made an annual event, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.

She told reporters this after officiating at the Lampoopalooza 2024 at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building here on Saturday night.

“This is the second time STB has organised this dazzling light art festival after 2019. It is a funfilled, exciting and enjoyable event involving the local community. We will hold this celebration of lights on a yearly basis,” she said, while calling on STB to come up with new programmes to enliven the city for locals and tourists alike.

On why the STB building was chosen as the venue for the event, Liew described it as a historical and iconic structure, having served as a post office once upon a time.

In 2018, the building became one of the 24 heritage sites in Sabah gazetted by the state Heritage Council under the state Heritage Enactment 2017.

Earlier in her opening address, Liew said she was reminded of the rich history that led to Lampoopalooza.

“What started as a centennial celebration of the Sabah Tourism Board building in 2018, has evolved into a celebration of lights in 2019, and so, Lampoopalooza was born.

“This year’s Lampoopalooza celebration is a fun fusion of art and light, music, food and family-friendly activities,” she said.

According to Liew, Lampoopalooza is more than just a festival as it is a platform for collaboration and positive change.

“It gives STB the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those in need, aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“By integrating art, light and sustainable technology, this festival aims to showcase the positive influence that collective creativity can have on communities.”

Citing an example, she said STB in collaboration with upcycling innovator Japson Wong and sustainable energy solution specialist TONIBUNG have embarked on a transformative project that extends the spirit of Lampoopalooza to benefit communities in need.

“Wong’s artistic touch has brought to life the lit-up water tanks at STB’s premises, powered by solar panels and expertly installed by the TONIBUNG team.

“I understand that these solar panels will be donated to Timpayasa in Ulu Papar, which will be sufficient to light up the village and power up essential facilities there. The water tanks will also be donated to a few villages to be identified later by TONIBUNG.”

Liew also highlighted the collaboration with two local artists, Azlan Dulikab and Rosmaini Sunarjo, whose works of art were displayed at the Glow Art exhibition.

“These glow-in-the-dark artworks will be handed over to Sabah Art Gallery to be donated to a few rural schools of their choice,” she added.