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Wee (fourth left) with festival director Kiyoshi Aihara, on his left, the organising committee members and other participants at the entrance of Tropic City. — Photo by Jasmine Chin
KUCHING (March 29): The Tiny Fest Borneo kicked off yesterday at Tropic City here, bringing families together for a weekend of screen-free play, music and activities aimed at reconnecting children with the physical world.
Themed ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, the festival runs until today.
It encourages children to step away from digital devices and engage in meaningful, offline experiences through play, creativity and social interaction.
Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng officiated the opening ceremony, representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In his speech, Wee said Kuching’s participation in the Unicef Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) reflected its commitment to placing children at the centre of urban planning and community development.
“A truly progressive city is one that listens to its children, protects their wellbeing, and creates environments where they can thrive physically, emotionally and socially,” he said, hailing Tiny Fest Borneo as a natural extension of this commitment.
He also said while technology had made life more convenient, it had also contributed to children becoming increasingly disconnected from real-world interactions.
“We are raising a generation that is more digitally connected than ever before, yet increasingly disconnected from the physical world around them.
“We see it in shorter attention spans, in rising levels of anxiety, and in the gradual erosion of face to face interaction and unstructured play,” he said.
“That is why spaces like this are not just valuable, they are necessary.
“Children need more than information – they need connection, creativity and a sense of belonging,” he added.
The festival also features ‘Tiny Talks’, a panel series, with speakers from KPJ and Sarawak General Hospital, addressing modern parenting challenges such as children’s behaviour, emotional development and screen dependency.
Wee regarded such platforms as important in equipping parents with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, while also raising awareness of issues such as bullying.
“Whether it occurs in schools, playgrounds or online, bullying has a profound and lasting impact on a child’s development.
“Addressing it is key to creating a safe and compassionate environment,” he said.
Beyond discussions, the festival offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, including bouncy castles, a baby rave, glow stick party, arts and crafts, a mega cardboard maze and face painting.
Families can also enjoy a screening of ‘Majau: The Harvest Tale’, a Sarawak-made animation celebrating Borneo’s cultural heritage, alongside music by parent-DJs and various food and beverage offerings.
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