Redeems president urges S’wak govt to elevate Gawai Carnival Redeems into world ethnic festival

Nansian (centre) together with others during a press conference at the Borneo Tribal Village Office on July 17, 2024. Photo credit: TVS

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 17: The iconic Gawai Carnival Redeems (GCR) should be elevated into a world ethnic festival that brings together ethnic groups from around the world, creating a shared platform to celebrate and experience each other’s unique cultures.

In a news report by TVS, Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie highlighted this when announcing the return of the 16th edition of GCR (GCR 2024) from July 26 to 28 at the Bidayuh Cultural Village near Redeems Centre in Bau, which is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors.

The carnival, themed “Kayak Adat Asal” this year, will be officiated at by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“The Premier of Sarawak will attend this event on July 27 (Saturday) to grace the gala dinner, which is the main highlight of GCR 2024.

“Various exciting activities, including performances and exhibitions will take place throughout the carnival,” he told a press conference and briefing for the 16th Gawai Carnival Redeems 2024 at the Borneo Tribal Village Office today.

With the previous edition drawing over 8,000 visitors, Nansian urged the Sarawak government to consider elevating the event to a world ethnic festival, as it has potential to become a major event which offers numerous benefits to Sarawak.

“This event will not only gather all the ethnic groups in Sarawak but also attract ethnic groups from around the world to experience and share local culture, while bringing their own cultures to Sarawak.

“We aim to bring together all the ethnic groups of Sarawak and those from around the world. We want to foster and experience local culture and also share the world’s cultural diversity during this festival,” he said.

Nansian highlighted that GCR 2024 will set a benchmark for ensuring that future events are even better and benefit all parties involved.

“This includes the importance of examining the financial impact of the three-day carnival this year,” he added. — DayakDaily