| Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) to feature more indigenous cultures SIBU: The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) in July this year will see stage performances that reflect more of the unique characteristics of the indigenous culture of Borneo. Deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council Daniel Ngieng told a press conference yesterday that the main stage performance on July 5, 6 and 7 would showcase the local arts and cultures. Admitting there was a little too much of foreign cultures featured at the last BCF, he said it was due largely to the Eatof (East Asian Tourism Forum) that was held in Sibu during the BCF period. “This year, we wish to develop our cultures as a heritage asset which could appeal to our people and outsiders,” he said. He also expressed the council’s hope to forge a synergy between the different players such as the local culture, artists and performers, the various cultural organisations and related agencies in order to enhance and deepen the performances on stage. “We wish to refine the presentations of our local cultures through interplay and interactions between them and popular culture,” he added. Recognising the above-mentioned thrusts and emphasis, the council has outlined the respective themes for the stage performance over the three nights — July 5, 6 and 7. The performance on July 5 is to be themed “Traditional Culture Night” to bring out the ethnic cultural beauty against the rainforest setting. The performing time on stage will be two hours and feature predominantly ethnic dances, songs and music. The stage presentation would blend music, dance, songs and dramas of the various ethnic groups. Any integration of the modern mode of presentation must not ignore the unique character of traditional cultures. Ngieng said the contributors could incorporate in their presentation the use of indigenous drums, gongs, musical instruments, martial arts and others. He expected the number of performers on stage at any one time to be less than 30, and the duration for each performance item to be 10 to 15 minutes. The two-hour stage performance on July 6 is to be themed ‘The Vitality of Our Rainforest Culture’. The third night performance on July 7 is themed ‘The many splendid flowers of Hornbill Culture’. The contributor could present the item in the form of song-dance combination or poem recital with some dances as support. As the BCF is about people’s participation, the council is inviting the public to contribute to the three-night programme. They need to apply to participate, though. Ngieng said applicants were required to choreograph their contributions. “The applicants are required to submit their contributions, enclosed with write-up of their proposed items to SMC at level 23 Wisma Sanyan on or before Feb 28,” he said, adding that the council would appoint a panel of experts to do the audition and selection later. “Within a specified time, the audition panel shall review the selected items with the intention to ensure quality,” he added. Applicants are free to choose any of the themes of the three-night performance and submit their proposals accordingly. However, all contributions must be original. “Try to keep the props, setting and lightings as simple as possible so that they don’t take more than three minutes to be removed or changed over for another performance,” advised Ngieng. He added: “Production and performance costs shall be borne by the applicants. However, council shall, after audition, provide financial assistance for the selected items.” With Ngieng at the press conference were SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, municipal secretary Wong Fu Toh and a member of BCF organising committee Chen Ing Kuan. Written by,
The Borneo Post
25.0.1.2007
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