By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, July 3: A towering 60-foot traditional itut (swing) of the Melanau community — the tallest ever constructed in the event’s history — will be the main attraction at this year’s Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2025, set to take place from July 3 to 12.
In a TVS news report, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Councillor Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley said this year’s edition with the theme “Rhythm of Borneo” promises a unique and vibrant experience with new elements and a strong focus on Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage.
“This itut is among the tallest ever built for BCF. Previously, the tallest ones were about 45 to 46 feet. This one pushes nearly 60 feet. It’s going to be one of the festival’s biggest highlights and crowd-pullers,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday (July 2).
Mohammed Abdullah highlighted that the Cultural Night will make its debut this year, replacing the traditional International Night to prioritise local talents and ethnic arts.
The festival will feature performances representing the Dayak, Malay-Melanau, Chinese, Lun Bawang, and other ethnic communities.
“We want to give the main stage to our own performers and cultural practitioners, to show the community just how rich and talented Sarawak’s cultural scene is,” he said.
Also turning heads this year will be the newly redesigned BCF arch, offering visitors a walk-through experience. The structure will be adorned with nostalgic village-inspired elements such as a mini stream, small waterfall, and live fish, evoking the charm of kampung life.
Adding a fresh visual identity to the festival, BCF 2025’s official mascots will be a male and female engkulik (horned frog), an effort to raise awareness of this protected species in Sarawak.
While the spotlight is on Sarawak’s cultural richness, international acts from West Java, Indonesia and India will also be featured, adding global flavour to the festivities.
Festival-goers are advised to maintain cleanliness, with SMC providing clearly labelled waste bins and enforcing a RM500 compound for hygiene violations.
“SMC will carry out regular monitoring throughout the event to ensure cleanliness and order,” Mohammed Abdullah stressed.
In the interest of public safety and smooth traffic flow, certain roads around the festival venue will be closed as determined by the authorities.
Organised by SMC with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and strategic sponsors, BCF 2025 is expected to draw bigger crowds this year and further energise Sibu’s tourism and local economy. — DayakDaily
