SIBU: The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) themed ‘Beauty in Ethnic Diversities’ will be held at the Sibu Town Square from 20 to 29 July.
Speaking at a press conference held at SMC meeting room yesterday, Deputy Chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Rogayah Jemain said the upcoming BCF will feature the Malay/Melanau Pavilion, Chinese Pavilion, Dayak Pavilion, Cultural Art Exhibition Belt and BCF Tradex.
She added that the BCF will start with a grand opening procession at 5.45pm where roads involved in the routes will be closed on 20 July from 5.15pm
“The procession routes are from Chuan Corridor/Jalan Pulau/ Masland Church/Channel Road/ Sibu Central Market before turning left to Pansar/ Workshop Road/ Bomba/ turns left to Central Road/ Standard Chartered Bank/turns right to Jalan Morshidi Sidek/ Sanyan Building/Jalan Kampung Nyabor/RH Hotel (front)/WTK Building/turns left to Jalan Bujang Suntong,” she said.
According to Rogayah, BCF this year is a bit different because the official launching of BCF and BCF Tradex will only be held after the procession.
“Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will grace the opening ceremony on 20 July,” she said, adding that other VIPs are Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee and SMC chairman, Datuk Tiong Thai King who is also Dudong Assemblyman.
“After the official launching, the guest of honour and VIPs will visit the Malay/Melanau Pavilion, Chinese Pavilion, Dayak Pavilion, Cultural Art Exhibition Belt and BCF Tradex.
Apart from that, Rogayah said that the Malay/Melanau Pavilion, Chinese Pavilion, Dayak Pavilion and Cultural Art Exhibition Belt will have their own opening ceremony.
“Malay/Melanau Pavilion, Chinese Pavilion and Cultural Art Exhibition Belt will hold its opening ceremony on 21 July while the Dayak Pavilion will be on 22 July.
“Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee will officiate the opening ceremony at the Malay/Melanau Pavilion while the closing by be officiated by Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs, Abdullah Saidol.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi will officiate the opening of the Dayak Pavillion and closing will be by Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas,” she said.
Rogayah also explained that this year’s BCF is more towards culture where they want to portray the real culture, tradition and traditional food.
“People are welcomed to the festival as a lot of activities have been upgraded. This year we are also re-installing a ‘mini tibau’. I think a few years ago, BCF has the ‘mini tibau’. Besides that we also bring in Muslim calligraphy where in previous BCFs we only have Chinese calligraphy and photography. But this year, there will be Muslim calligraphy and Dayak tattoo,” she explained.
Other activities to be held are Bonsai exhibition, wood carving and weaving of rattan mats by Sarawak Craft Council, cultural performances and many more.
