By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Apr 3: Mark your calendars, partygoers, because the renowned Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) will make a physical return this June 23 to 25 at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated in a press conference held today following the launch of RWMF 2023 at a hotel in Kuching that the festival would exceed the 20,000 visitor target this year.
“I believe the number of visitors will exceed 20,000, as in previous years. We can’t have too many people because space is limited.
“If (could) follow my desire, I wish it can reach tens of thousands to 100,000 visitors,” he said.
The annual festival organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will bring together musicians and fans of world music from all over the world to share and experience various sounds from around the globe.
The 26th RWMF will be Sarawak’s unforgettable ‘ambassador’, bringing Sarawak sounds to the ears and hearts of music lovers worldwide.
RWMF 2023’s lineup will feature 199 musicians from 12 countries across more than three continents performing a diverse range of music genres, including Grammy Award winner Gipsy Kings from France of hits such as ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bamboleo’ set to enthral visitors with their pop-oriented music, distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba genres.
Other international performers include ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica, ‘Safi Theatre’ from Tanzania, ‘Rastak’ from Iran, ‘Fasylive’ from Maldives, ‘Afriquoi’ from the United Kingdom, ‘Chatusram’ from India, ‘Rizal Hadi & Folk’ from Indonesia, and ‘Thai Fusions Sound Band’ from Thailand. The lineup will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Abdul Karim also urged people to support local musicians who will perform at RWMF 2023, such as Zee Avi, Suk Binie, APU, Nadir, Steve Thornton Band, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Berkocak, At Adau, Meruked, and Orang Orang Drum.
“In line with this year’s theme, ‘Reflections’, I am indeed proud to reflect on how far the RWMF has traversed, from its humble beginnings with merely 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998 to becoming Sarawak’s ‘Star Festival’, an internationally renowned platform recognised as one of the 25 best international festivals.
“RWMF has grown over the years and has become a strong ‘advocate’ of responsible tourism initiatives.
“Through festivals like the RWMF, Borneo Jazz Festival, Siniawan Country Music Festival, and Borneo Cultural Festival, among others, coupled with a pool of talented musicians, Sarawak has a strong potential to become a regional hub for music tourism and performing arts,” he mentioned in his speech earlier.
Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor highlighted that, in conjunction with the organisation of RWMF this time, the local airline company, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), is interested in collaborating to offer flight packages and accommodation for guest musicians at the music festival.
“However, the accommodation is limited, so it is important for those who want to come, they need to make their bookings early,” she said.
Please refer to RWMF’s official website at rwmf.net for additional details. Tickets will go on sale on April 15, with the following prices:
Also present were MTCP Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, MTCP permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini, and STB chairman Dennis Ngau. — DayakDaily
