Concert brings international flavour to fest

KUCHING: Performing troupes from South Korea, China, Japan and Kuching gave stellar performances at the inaugural ‘International Friendship Cities Night’ concert held as part of Kuching Festival 2017.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who was earlier impressed with the turnout at Kuching Festival said the concert had all the hallmarks of becoming one of the annual festival’s major highlights.

“My ministry is ready to provide assistance to make this event (concert) a grander affair in the coming years,” said Abdul Karim who officiated at the concert on Saturday night.

By hosting the concert on a bigger and grander scale, the event will be able to stir excitement and provide cities who have forged ‘ friendship’ with the Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) something to look forward to each year, he added.

The minister noted that ever since Kuching was declared as a ‘City of Unity’, the city’s tourism potential has grown to offer a lot more to tourists and international performers.

Also speaking was the festival’s organising chairman Cr Mohamad Taufik Abdul Gani who said the concert held from July 28 to 30 was to strengthen relationships between the participating cities.

“This will also encourage more tourism activities between the cities,” he said.

He also extended his gratitude to the performers from Zhanjiang, Zhenjiang and Kunming from China; Guro ( South Korea) and Asuke (Japan) for making the effort to come down to Kuching for the concert.

On another note, he added that Kuching Festival which is held from July 28 to Aug 20 this year is to mark the 29th anniversary of when Kuching was declared a city.

Also present at the event was MBKS deputy mayor Hilmy Othman who represented MBKS mayor Datuk James Chan Khay Syn.

My ministry is ready to provide assistance to make this event (concert) a grander affair in the coming years. By hosting the concert on a bigger and grander scale, the event will be able to stir excitement and provide cities who have forged ‘friendship’ with the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) something to look forward to each year. Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports

Abdul Karim (fourth left) presenting a souvenir to a representative from one of the performing troupes on Saturday. Also seen are Mohamad Taufik (third right), Hilmy (third left) and other MBKS councillors.

The troupe from Asuke, Japan performing the Chin-Don Ya ‘Ran’ at the concert on Saturday.

The troupe from Zhanjiang performing ‘Fight of Eagle and Xiong’. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi