KUCHING, June 26: As a prelude to the famous Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), this year’s Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) will showcase a 10-day spectacle for all to celebrate the spirit and energy of Sarawak.
Festival director Joe Sidek, in a briefing today, said this year’s RFF promised more excitement and thrilling programmes from July 6 to 15.
Among others, he said there would be a pilot show called “Sarawak: An Indigenous Journey”, photography and art exhibitions, workshops, music, creative talks and film screenings.
“Coming to its second year, we have been inspired by the people of Sarawak, and we hope that RFF will help set the motion for Sarawak pride,” he said.
Joe added that the festival would also have live shows, art installation and music events.
“Big Bad Wolf would be coming into the Sarawak market for the first time,” he revealed.
To be hosted in the heart of Kuching, the festival honours Sarawak’s eclectic culture and vibrancy of the land and its people, thus giving festival attendees a holistic view and true sense of its splendour.
For this year, RFF sees collaboration with Sarawakians as an integral part of the festival’s distinctiveness and growth.
“RFF is working together with leading luminaries like Dewi Liana Seriestha, Raziman Sarbini, At Adau, Alena Murang, Peter Kallang, Vicky Fong, Francesca Ang, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Dr Monica Janowski and Bung Bratak Cultural Group for the production of SARAWAK: An Indigenous Journey, a contemporary interpretation of indigenous music from At Adau and Alena Murang,” Joe said.
For ‘Bamboo that Binds and Wood’, RFF is collaborating with the Borneo Arts Collective, Wendy Teo, UCSI University, many local craftsmen and other creatives from Taiwan and Thailand.
‘The Market’ will have local fashion designer Arzmy Hargreaves leading some of the best fashion labels in Sarawak, as part of the Pop Up Fashion.
RFF is also working together with Sarawak Culinary Heritage and Arts to bring in the best food experience in Kuching.
“With the Forbidden Fruits, renowned Sarawak designers Jacqueline Fong of Tanoti, Rosemarie Wong of The Ranee, Edric Ong and IDC Architects are involved together to create magnificent installations of large surreal woven fruits created by several indigenous female weaving communities.”
Joe added that many other Sarawakians would be part of the festival.
RFF will be hosting various events and showcases in several venues in Kuching, namely Borneo744, The Old Courthouse, The Waterfront Hotel, Pullman Kuching and Cove 55 in Santubong.
State Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also attended the briefing this morning.
RFF is hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak. It is also in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board.
All shows and exhibitions are free upon registration on its official website (www.rainforestfringe.com) via POP Events (grabapop.com). — DayakDaily
