Sarawak to host International Dragon and Lion Dance competition

KUCHING: Sarawak will host its largest ever international Dragon and Lion Dance competition later this month, as announced by the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Sarawak Open International Dragon & Lion Dance Cup 2024 will be held on October 26 – 27 at the Stadium Perpaduan here, from 9 am to 10 pm, and will see participation from 44 teams across five countries.

Abdul Karim emphasised the magnitude of the event, describing it as the largest of its kind ever held in Malaysia, with categories including Traditional Southern Lion Dance, High Pole Southern Lion Dance, Northern Lion Dance, and the Luminous Dragon Dance.

“This will be the first time Sarawak hosts such a prestigious and large-scale competition,” said Abdul Karim in a press conference today (Oct 9).

“Forty-four teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, and China have confirmed their participation.

“The event is organised by the Chinese Martial Arts Association and sanctioned by the Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Malaysia. It has received full support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts, which recognises the cultural importance of lion and dragon dances in Sarawak,” he stated.

 “While lion and dragon dances are rooted in Chinese tradition, their appeal extends far beyond, with participants from various ethnic groups in Sarawak, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Melanau, and Orang Ulu communities,” said Abdul Karim.

He highlighted the competition’s significance in promoting cultural unity.

“The lion dance demonstrates the inclusive and evolving nature of this cultural tradition, becoming a symbol of cultural unity in Sarawak,” he remarked.

The event aims to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate this art form and its cultural importance.

Alongside the Dragon and Lion Dance Cup, Sarawak will also be hosting the International Dragon Boat Race, which will feature 21 countries, as well as the Kuching International Marathon and the What About Kuching festival throughout October.

He expressed confidence that all these events would further promote Sarawak’s tourism industry, benefiting the local economy by attracting visitors from around the world.

“I hope that the Sarawak Open International Dragon & Lion Dance Cup will grow even bigger in the coming years,” he added.