By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Dec 12: Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) invites members of the public to its Christmas open house this Saturday (Dec 17) at the Old Court House from 12pm to 3pm.
STF president Audry Wan Ullok said with the theme ‘Celebration Of Life: Reflections In Gratitude’, the event is also a part of STF’s Visit Sarawak Open House Campaign and organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), and supported by Brooke Museums, Business Events Sarawak, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, Food Journal, and Borneo Happy Farm.
“The key objective of this open house campaign is for visitors and locals alike, regardless of race and religion in our multi-racial community, to experience and partake in the celebrations and traditions of the open houses in Sarawak, which are unique and not found anywhere else,” she said during a press conference held at the Old Court House here today.
Also present during the press conference were Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor, STF deputy president Fiona Marcus Raja, and STF Christmas open house project leader Salliza Sideni.
She noted, in light of this special celebration of life and gratitude, STF has chosen ‘Theme of Rice: Rice to the Occasion’ as its main focus for its delicacies selection as it not only provides food security, but rice has shaped the cultures, diets, and economies of thousands of millions of people.
She said for Sarawakians, rice is regarded as sacred — a testament and an essence of the rich and diverse culture in the State, which calls for that ‘special spiritual connection’ that is deeply embedded in our cultural concept. It is indeed ‘that one source of food’ that unites all Sarawakians.
“This celebration is also to further support and promote Kuching as the first city in Malaysia to be accepted as a member of Unesco’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of gastronomy,” she added.
For this year’s open house, STF aims to offer the public over 20 types of local cuisine and beverages made from rice. In addition, there will be nine food and beverage stalls from the multicultural communities in Sarawak at this event.
Apart from that, STF also will be engaging with local communities, especially with underprivileged non-governmental organisations and low-income groups from various villages in Kuching.
Among the programmes lined up for the open house include various performances, ‘Rice to the Occasion’ Charity Food Fair and Demo, a gingerbread house and Christmas cookies decorating activities and competition, a charity photo booth, and on-site fun quizzes. — DayakDaily
