Poles the early birds
Kota Kinabalu: Polish cultural troupe, Poligrodzianie, became the first of 18 groups to arrive, Saturday, for the 7th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2012.
“This is our first visit to Sabah as well as Malaysia,” troupe leader, Marzenna Biegala-Howorska, told Daily Express. Students of the Folk Dance Ensemble of Poznan University of Technology represents Poland.
“We have visited Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong and had such a nice experience.
So we are very interested in the cultures of Asia and we decided to come to find out about your country.”
On what aspects of Polish folkdance the troupe plans to showcase in Sabah, she said: “Special polish culture, two types of dances, very popular typical national dances and also the region of Polish highlanders because it is the region where Polish culture and costumes are still alive, which they still use in wedding ceremonies, in church and special holidays,” Marzenna said.
Due to fly in today are Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, South Korea, East Timor, Kuwait, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Nigeria. Uzbekistan, Mexico and Morroco were originally listed to come but unable to make it, according to Chief Liaison Officer, Joisin Rombut .
A series of activities which begin Monday include technical and programme briefing, tourism briefing, city tours, welcome dinner, Folkart exhibition (Sabah Arts Gallery), cultural exchange workshop (SCC), Sabah traditional food fair (Penampang sports complex), KK City Folklore Parade (2pm, 10 July), Folkart workshop, courtesy call on TYT, local folk dance competition (11-12 July), Folkart demonstration Sabah Arts Gallery (13 July), Prime Show (13 July, Magellan Sutera), two nights of folkdance competition 14-15 July at the Sabah Cultural Centre (SCC), Folkart dialogue and farewell dinner on July 16.
For further details and tickets contact Joisin Rombut at 6088-259457 or hp 0198218718 or email borneosiff@gmail.com
Source : Daily Express
