By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, June 22: The attendance of over 1,200 participants at this year’s Sarawak International Choral Festival & Symposium (SICFest & Sym) demonstrates the growing reputation of Sarawak as a destination for world-class cultural and business events that bring people together through shared experiences and meaningful connections.
According to Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the State government believes that the arts are an essential pillar of a progressive, inclusive, and culturally vibrant society.
He said that festivals such as the SICFest & Sym showcase more than artistic excellence, as it provides opportunities for learning, cultural exchange, talent development, and international friendship.
“At the same time, events like this contribute significantly to Sarawak’s tourism and visitor economy. Every participant who visits Sarawak experiences not only our festival but also our people, heritage, cuisine, and hospitality.
“In many ways, each of you becomes an ambassador for Sarawak, sharing your experiences and stories with family, friends, and communities when you return home,” he said at the closing ceremony of the SICFest & Sym 2026 held at a hotel here on Sunday (June 21) where he addressed delegates, juries, conductors, and choirs from the United States of America, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A copy of his text speech was made available to the media.
Abdul Karim went on to say that music possesses a unique power to bridge differences and unite communities regardless of language, nationality, or culture.
He said that a choir is also one of the best examples of unity in diversity, whereby different voices come together, each contributing its own unique sound.
“As you prepare to return home, I invite you to continue being ambassadors of friendship, cultural understanding, and the transformative power of music. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sarawak in the future — not only as participants, but as friends of our beautiful State,” he said.
Among those present were Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Sarawak Arts Council chief executive officer Dr Suffian Jalet, and SICFest & Sym 2026 festival director Benedict JC Lo. — DayakDaily
