KUCHING: The four-day Citrawarna Keluarga Malaysia 2022 festival is meant to promote art and heritage products especially in Sarawak, which is rich in biodiversity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“From local dishes such as mee kolok, Sarawak laksa, Sarawak kek lapis, multi-ethnic dance performances, to handicraft sales – everything has its own uniqueness.
“So it is not surprising that the celebration of this mega festival is significant in terms of the tagline “Malaysia – Truly Asia,” he said when officiating at Citrawarna Keluarga Malaysia 2022 at Kuching Waterfront here on Saturday night (Feb 26).
He expressed gratitude to the Sarawak government especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for the support and cooperation in organising the event.
“This mega festival has been held every year since 1999 and it is listed one of the large-scale events in the national tourism calendar.
“After four years of not being able to organise it, tonight we have the opportunity to celebrate it, yet in an atmosphere of strict adherence to the standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said the festival once again showcased the greatness and uniqueness of the art, culture, and heritage of Malaysians.
For example, he pointed out that in Sarawak alone, there are 28 ethnic groups with unique cultures which are the pride of not only the people of Sarawak but the whole Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family).
“The selection of Kuching as the location for the Citrawarna celebration is also very appropriate as Kuching City has received various important recognitions at the international level,” he said.
Among them, he said, was the recognition of Kuching as a Creative City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council.
“Kuching’s success of becoming a Creative City of Gastronomy is seen to be able to boost the economy and the tourism and culture industry, especially in Sarawak,” he said.
Ismail Sabri also noted that during Citrawarna Keluarga Malaysia 2022, a sape concert involving 250 artistes, will be recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records for the participation of the most sape players.
Also gracing the event were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib; Abang Johari; federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and other dignitaries.
