KUCHING: A commemorative book on the ‘Rainforest World Music Festival – A Journey of 25 Years’ has been launched to documents the growth of the festival and the Sarawak musicians influenced by it.
According to Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the book will take its readers from the very beginning of the festival where just about 300 people turned up at the Sarawak Cultural Village for the gathering of world music fans.
“It brings us through the years of its growth into one of the best-loved and most celebrated festivals in the world.
“Furthermore, it also tells the story from the point of view of many of the personalities involved in the festival over the years. This festival, unlike many others, inspires complete loyalty.
“From its legions of fans, who faithfully attend every Rainforest reunion, to the musicians who now clamour to play here, to the many people who have been involved in it in a whole range of fields. These people are part of the Rainforest story,” he said at the launching of the book at Baitulmakmur II Building on Tuesday (June 14).
Abdul Karim stated that the book also commemorates the collective achievement in creating an iconic festival to thrill audiences from around the world and also in keeping the indigenous music of Sarawak alive.
“With this, I would like to congratulate and thank the authors of the book, Gracie Geikie and Karen Sheperd, for chronicling the journey of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).
“It is good that we continue to keep our festival alive through documentation so that readers will know and appreciate Sarawak’s efforts in preserving our cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy,” he said.
