NEW DELHI: A 16-member dance troupe from Sarawak participated in the 2nd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) International Dance Festival, a platform showcasing the Asia-Pacific region’s cultural diversity, in New Delhi on Saturday evening.
Established by ABU, the festival is aimed at bringing dance forms from various countries to a single stage and promote them via television to the world.
The festival in the Indian capital attracted 120 dancers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture had assigned Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) to represent the country at the event.
“It was an amazing experience to perform with dancers from many countries. It gave us an opportunity to present Sarawak’s multi-ethnic heritage,” said troupe member Uli Bilong.
The participation also furthers Sarawak as a tourist destination, said Sarawak Arts Council cultural officer Easter Melebeh.
“It’s a good venue for creating destination awareness as the event is widely promoted,” Easter told Bernama.
Sarawak’s presentation blended dances from various ethnic groups, while the Indonesian presentation included a dance that played a role in the nation’s struggle for independence from the Dutch colonial rule.
Uzbekistan’s performers excited the audience with their “Guldasta” show and the male solo dance called “Lagan”.
The Kushdepdi dance, listed as Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage, was Turkmenistan’s contribution to the festival. – Bernama
