KUCHING, Nov 10: Cultural integration of all ethnic groups in Sarawak has received global recognition after Kuching was named a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy.
Federation of Chinese Association in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Youth treasurer Aaron Tay said this achievement reflected the multiracial, multicultural society in Sarawak.
“This is the identity and the pride of every Sarawakian – to be able to live with others, including sharing our food with friends and families from different races and religions – peacefully for decades,” he said.
Food, he stressed, has connected and united people from different backgrounds in Sarawak whereby they share food to understand each other’s race, culture and tradition.
Yesterday (Nov 9), Kuching was named a Unesco City of Gastronomy, with the city being the first in Malaysia to join some 36 cities around the world to be recognised under the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for its food heritage and diversity.
Following this new achievement, Tay said Sarawak now has two recognitions under Unesco with the other being the Mulu National Park in Miri as a Unesco World Heritage Site in Malaysia.
“We believe this will further promote Kuching as a tourist destination, especially for those who love culture, adventure and nature as well as delicious and unique cuisine,” he said in a statement today.
He thus stressed the importance for Sarawakians to continue to preserve, strengthen harmony and unity in the State while rejecting extremisms as well as any other negative elements that will affect the multiracial society. — DayakDaily
