Sifma 2022 set to revive creative industry post-pandemic
We heard touching stories from some who had to sell their precious instruments just to support their children and families. There was a lot of down moments, sadness, and depression that we were exposed to and tried our best to handle during that period.
Dr Geraldine Law-Lee
KUCHING: Artistes, musicians and dancers were hardest hit during the recent pandemic as most lost their source of income, especially for freelance artistes.
Sarawak International Festival of Music & Arts (Sifma) 2022 chairperson Dr Geraldine LawLee said this in her speech at Sifma 2022 which took place at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building auditorium on Saturday night.
“We heard touching stories from some who had to sell their precious instruments just to support their children and families. There was a lot of down moments, sadness, and depression that we were exposed to and tried our best to handle during that period,” said Law-Lee.
She said that Unicef reported the highest rate of child and youth depression since the pandemic and this made her realise that something needed to be done.
“A special conference, Music Heals was set up to help with depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s and special needs. We hope to continue the collaboration with MMS to hold the Music Heals conference next year.”
Themed ‘Music that Illuminates’, Sifma is aimed at illuminating the dynamic filed of music and arts on the world stage during the two-day event which ended yesterday.
“Sifma serves as a platform for the creative industry to come together, to inspire and ignite passion for the field while unlocking new talents in music, performing arts, fashion and visual arts for global growth,” she added.
The Saturday line-up featured an Opening Chant and Bird Call by Arthur Bowman and Connie Sim, respectively, which was then followed by Rhythms of Asia group performance with the MSS ‘gendang’ players.
The Sifma choir and orchestra came on later followed by Belgian pianist Dr Gilbert de Greeve.
The UiTM Chamber Choir with its conductor Dr Masashi Kishimoto later performed a song titled ‘Antoi Porosh’.
Towards the end of the night, Halili Cruz School of Dance (Philippines), La Danse Studio (Malaysia), Sugapriya Ashok Solo Artist (South India), Shilp Maitri Studios (North India) and Esme Wong took the stage with their performance.
Sifma was organised by International Music House (IMH) with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, and sponsored by SOCOE, Chuan Ming, EPR, Trienekens, Majlis Seni Sarawak and RTM.
Also present was Majlis Seni Sarawak chief executive officer Dayang Mariana Abang Bolhassan.