KUCHING, Sept 2: The ‘Eight Orang-utans Mural’ by Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic depicting eight young orang-utans in a wheelbarrow is among the iconic murals in Sarawak being featured in the Matta Fair KL from Sept 2 to 4.
Another mural painting showcased is Sarawakian artist Leonard Siaw’s ‘Symphony of The Tinsmith’ which portrays one of Kuching’s oldest disciplines, tinsmithing, during the early settlement of the Chinese on Carpenter Street.
Sibu’s famous ‘Sibu delicacies’ mural along a back lane near Market Road and the ‘Wrapped Chicken and Duck’ mural at Sibu Central Market, both by artists Lau Sei Kwong and Lilian Tang, are also on display.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Integrated Marketing Communications Division deputy chief executive officer (CEO) Suriya Charles Buas said street art is a growing trend which tells exciting stories of people, culture, and history.
“We hope that showcasing this creative art will inspire our friends from Peninsular Malaysia to visit Sarawak and discover Sarawak’s culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals.
“Essentially, this also reminds us of how important it is to practice responsible tourism for long-term sustainability and conservation to preserve its heritage,” he said in a statement today.
Charles added that Sarawak’s tourism sector is on the right track to recovery with the growing confidence of visitor arrivals amounting to 703,891 between January and July this year.
Meanwhile, STB, together with eight other participating tour agencies, will also be delivering a wide range of tour packages encompassing Sarawak’s culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals (CANFF) to entice West Malaysians or Expats residing in West Malaysia looking to experience one of Malaysia’s most exotic locations.
Among the unique attractions that the packages offer include village cultural experiences such as going for an Iban longhouse tour and staying in one of the longhouses to experience the culture and tradition of the Iban community, exploring Bengoh Dam known to be the ‘Jurassic Park’ of Kuching, hearty food trail adventures in Sarawak, a trip to coastal villages in Bruit, Daro and Matu, or even a trip to the renowned Mulu National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site to have a grand view of the caves which bears a distinct resemblance to the profile of Abraham Lincoln and the infamous Pinnacles.
Additionally, visitors to the Sarawak Booth can also have the opportunity to experience and enjoy Sarawak’s soothing indigenous music with live performances by Sarawak’s legendary sape musician and vocalist, Jerry Kamit, at a designated time.
Visitors will also have the chance to participate in Q&A sessions to win limited-edition souvenirs such as Pepper Gift Bag, Sarawak Table Coasters, and Borneo Organic Soap.
Visitors are welcome to come and explore the Sarawak packages available at Sarawak’s booth at MATTA Fair at booth numbers 4046-4051 and 4070-4075 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). — DayakDaily
