| Cultural dances to promote State Cultural dances to promote State KUCHING: Sarawak has great potential to promote its unique and diverse tradition and culture to the whole world especially through its colourful dances that despict the harmony among the people and with the nature.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud said
this when officiating the Kuching International Dance Festival - Gala Charity Nite at the Civic Centre here.
He was represented by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang at the event which was held to raise funds for SABATI (Sarawak Badan Amal Isteri-Isteri).
"Dance is very much a way of life for all people. It is a celebration of life, an aesthetic expression of our thankfulness, joy and happiness and it despicts the harmony that we have with one and another and also the nature around us and how things co-exist harmoniously despite the differences," he said.
"My hope is that such festivals it can provide an avenue for the young and talented people here to showcase their ability and skills to visitors and the whole world on the wealth of unique and graceful dances," he said.
He added that the state hadso far been very successful in organising such events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival which has attracted worldwide attention.
"The state has been promoting the Rainforest World Music Festival very successfully. Music lovers and performers the world over were asking to be part of the event, but due to space constraint most of them had to be declined," he said.
But, he pointed out that, once the facility to stage the event is upgraded and improved, by next year the state will be able to accommodate many more participants.
The Prime Minister Dato Seri Haji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has indicated in a recent meeting in Sabah that he will be interested to visit the next year’s event and has asked to fix a date for his visit.
In his speech, Taib said that the interest shown by the nation top leader proved how successful the state has been in organising such culture-related events not just locally but also internationally. This has put the state on the map of the world especially for its unique culture and arts.
The conducive climate with political stability can create interest among the international and local artistes to interact and communicate.
"Let us not forget to bring the younger generation into our traditional dances and culture so that the art will not be a dying art and left forgotten," he said.
Datuk Amar Puan Sri Dr. Hajah Laila Taib who is the president of SABATI was also present at the event which showcases dances not just from the state but also from West Malaysia, the Singapore, Phillipines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Australia.
Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom in his welcoming address said that it is important to inculcate interest among the younger generation in arts and performances.
"We must rejuvenate interest in the traditional culture and dances by employing new approaches and injecting new ideas and at the same time making sure that our good traditional values are kept intact and portrayed through dance performances," he said.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Wong Soon Kai and wife were also were present at the charity event. Written by:
Gerald Chung
Eastern Times
21 August 2007 | 
