Smaller-scale Folklore Festival this time

Kota Kinabalu: The Eighth Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) from June 25-30 will be a celebration of goodwill, brotherhood and culture.

It is being held on a smaller scale this time – three nations to be exact.

Sabah Cultural Board Deputy Chairman Jaimin Samintah said on Monday the SIFF participants are not only promoting their respective cultures, here, but also peace, which is in line with this year’s theme “Peace through Culture”.

“Participants can take this opportunity to promote each other’s country, friendship and culture tourism,” he said before about 300 SIFF participants from Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea and Sarawak during their welcoming dinner, here.

Samintah also urged the participants to take the opportunity to learn the culture of others and visit the local tourist spots while in the State.

Sabah Cultural Board General Manager Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai meanwhile reiterated that this year’s SIFF will focus more on songs and music, instead of dance.

This is among reasons why SIFF had a smaller number of countries taking part, apart from the on-going renovation of its original venue, the Penampang Cultural Centre. Last year’s SIFF saw 18 countries participating.

“We want to experiment on folklore music and songs to participating nations,’ he said. He said there are already 80 entries for next year’s SIFF.

About 10 teams will take part in the folklore song event, while 40 schools are expected to take part in this year’s folklore dance.

The performances will be held at the Arts and Culture Department Complex auditorium.

Source: Daily Express