Sifma 2025 kicks off with gala concert at Sarawak DUN

KUCHING (Dec 7): The Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (Sifma) 2025 has officially kicked off, with its gala concert transforming the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex into a vibrant arena of colour, culture and world-class performances.

Held on Saturday and Sunday, the two-day festival reinforces Sarawak’s commitment to positioning itself as a regional hub for arts and culture.

Now in its sixth edition, Sifma marks a significant milestone by extending its reach beyond Kuching through satellite showcases in Bintulu and Miri — a move that underscores its expanding influence and rising international appeal.

In a message for the event, Sifma chairperson Dr Geraldine Law-Lee described the festival as “a crucial international platform, dedicated not only to showcasing the finest talents of Sarawak to the world but also to forging stronger cultural bonds with participating nations.”

“We are proud to establish Sarawak as a vibrant international concert stage and festival ground,” she added.

Sifma 2025 brings together artistes, dancers, musicians, and performers from around the globe, offering audiences a curated blend of traditional, contemporary, and cross-cultural showcases.

The evening opened with ‘The World to Sarawak’, a dynamic dance performance that unified Sarawak’s diverse ethnic heritage on one stage—symbolising the state’s cultural richness and its welcoming spirit toward global artistic exchange.

A series of captivating performances followed, including ‘A Duet of Peacock Elegance’ by Dancer Interface Performing Arts, ‘Nv’ by Dance Space, ‘My Way’ by Cstage Dance Academy, ‘Bharatanatyam (Thillana)’ by ASK Dance Company, and ‘Nora Dance’ by Absolutely Thai.

Each act brought its own artistic flavour—ranging from classical Indian dance and Thai traditional movements to contemporary interpretations—highlighting the festival’s multicultural identity and emphasising its status as a melting pot of culture.

The Gala Concert was attended by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who showed strong support for the event.

“Sifma has established a strong international following. Our local groups are now invited to perform overseas, and more international groups are requesting to join us—a testament to Sifma’s rising global reputation,” he said in his message in conjunction with Sifma 2025.

Throughout the evening, the performances reflected the festival’s evolving identity — one defined by artistic excellence, cultural diplomacy and a shared ambition to elevate Sarawak on the world stage.

Among those present were Permanent Secretary to the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry Datu Sherrina Hussaini and her deputy Julin Alen.