Junior SIFMA to launch in 2024

KUCHING: A ‘Junior SIFMA’ is set to be launched in 2024, providing children and youths with a platform to showcase and develop their talents in the arts.

Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (SIFMA) chairperson Dr Geraldine Law-Lee said the forthcoming launch of ‘Junior SIFMA’ next year is set to offer opportunities for children and youths to exhibit their talents in various artistic realms, including fashion, visual arts, literary arts, and more.

“(In the) next five years, as in every five years, you will see new chapters unveiled and significant growth made truly visible and produced in fruits for Sarawak,” she said in her speech at the SIFMA 2023 concert at the DUN complex here last night (Dec 2).

She added that this year’s SIFMA promised to be a memorable festival, fostering new international friendships and rekindling old ones.

“But nevertheless as we sit back and watch the performances gel together, new compositions arise, new choreographies, learning from overseas teams, putting heads together to create new exciting products for Sarawak.

“Seeing performers overseas accompany locals and local working and learning, discussing things together for their future festivals make it even more exciting,” she said.

Dr.Geraldine Law-Lee (second right) receives a certificate from Marzuki Tambi (third right), chairman of Asia Pacific Unesco Korea as Abdul Karim (first right) looks on.

Performers from Thailand, Japan, the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, Indonesia, as well as local performers from Sarawak, Penang, and Perak captivated the audience during the two-day SIFMA 2023 event.

The opening event, running until Sunday (Dec 3), included performances by the Kuching Choral Society and St Joseph’s Private School Choir, Wendy Yong with the SIFMA Orchestra, Lun Bawang Irau, Melanau Pests Kaul, Iban Warrior Victory Celebration, Bidayuh Gawai Harvest Festival, Indian Deepavali Preparations, Chinese New Year Celebrations, Malay Silat, and a group performance titled ‘Sarawak Welcomes You’.

Other performances featured Dr. Gilbert de Greeve, an award-winning pianist from Belgium who performed alongside Wendy Yong in a soprano with their piece ‘O mio Babbino Caro’ from Verdi’s “Gianni Schicchi”.

Wendy Yong, with the SIFMA Orchestra, presented the popular ‘Habanera’ from Carmen by Bizet. Followed by D. Sugapriya Ashok and Sandip R Maisuri from India, Miss Nattatida from Thailand, and a performance titled ‘Traditional Royal Masked Dance of Thailand – “Khon”’ by Absolutely Thai performed by Kansadaeng Watthanatham.

This was followed by Miss Hiromi Fujimoto’s ‘Awa Odori’ dance, Miss Sachiko and Miss Tanaporn’s ‘Nichibu Song of Hope’ performance, among other captivating performances that enthralled the audience that evening.

Among the dignitaries present were Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, and his wife Lucy Octavia.

A performance by the Kuching Choral Society and St.Joseph’s Private School Choir.

A performance by the Kuching Choral Society and St.Joseph’s Private School Choir.

A performance by the Kuching Choral Society and St.Joseph’s Private School Choir.

Female dancers perform the ‘Chinese New Year Celebrations’ performance.

Female dancers perform the ‘Chinese New Year Celebrations’ performance.

Female dancers perform the ‘Chinese New Year Celebrations’ performance.