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Dozen nations for cultural fest here

Date Posted: 18 Jun 2009

Penampang: Sabahans will once again get to sample some of the world's best traditional dances at their doorstep at the week-long 4th Sabah International Folklore Festival on July 2-8.

"I really encourage Penampang population, residents and grass-root folks to come out to have a look, witness in some little ways the other cultures we have in this world," urged State Assistant Finance Minister-cum-State Assemblyman for Moyog, Donald Mojuntin, Tuesday.

Russia, Cambodia, China, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Philippines, India, Java, Kalimantan Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Brunei, are confirmed coming.

Mojuntin earlier received a bundle of promotional materials from Chairman of the Sabah Cultural Board, Datuk Wilfred Tangau, who is also the organising Chairman of the event.

The hot dates to keep are July 6-7 when the international groups will pit against each other with the best showpiece they can muster in two nights of friendly performance contests climaxing in a finale on July 7 where the first, second and third winners will be decided by a long panel of judges.

Tickets for these two highlight events are priced moderately at only RM50 (Class 1), RM30 (adults) and RM10 (children below 17) which can be purchased either online (www.sabahculture.com) or at Wisma Budaya (KK), Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang or Sabah Murut Cultural Centre, Tenom) between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, from June 16 onwards, organisers said.

July 5 is reserved for a big 100-tables dinner do, called Prime Dinner Show at 1borneo Grand Ballroom where the Head of State, Tun Ahmadshah will be Guest of Honour.

Ten tables will be sold at RM5,000 each, 30 tables at RM3,000 each, another 30 tables at RM2,000 and 30 tables at RM1,000 each, organisers said.

The farewell dinner will be held at a special venue in Kionsom, Inanam, on July 8.

Mojuntin said since the main action will be in Penampang, the Penampang Tourism Council should see this as an opportunity to promote Penampang as a tourist destination as an alternative to Kundazan, the interior or even Kinabalu or build it up as a short stop-over tourism destination.

What is new in this year's event is that prior to the international event some 22 primary and secondary school groups will compete among themselves.

The idea of piggy-backing the local folklore dance competition to a world event is in answer to past feedback that local folk dances hadn't been given due attention, noted an official.

"By getting young locals to perform, the 4th Sabah International Folklore Festival is a kind of benchmark for our performers," explained Tangau.

"By putting local folk dancers into the picture, we will be able to benchmark their performance," Tangau added.

(Source: Daily Express, 17 Jun 2009)

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