WAK Festival: Minister urges greater involvement from private sector to enrich S’wak’s artistic soul

Abdul Karim (fifth left) and other distinguished guests at the WAK Festival 2024 dinner on Oct 31, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Nov 1: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak has called on the private sector to participate in the What About Kuching (WAK) Festival, emphasising that this annual community-driven event serves as an excellent platform for building their brands in Sarawak.

In a news report by TVS, Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah noted that the WAK Festival has consistently brought numerous benefits and positive impacts to the people of Sarawak, particularly the youth, over the years.

As the festival enters its sixth edition, he acknowledged its significant role in celebrating and promoting the region’s unique artistic heritage and community spirit.

“For the Sarawak government, I urge the private sector to join us in the WAK Festival to achieve even greater success in the future.

“This festival has not only brightened our cities for the past five years but has also extended its reach to Sibu and Miri. Having been part of this Festival since 2017, I am truly impressed by how WAK has evolved into what it is today, thanks to excellent support and organisation,” he stated during his speech at the WAK Festival 2024 dinner on Thursday (Oct 31).

Abdul Karim highlighted that WAK serves as a platform for discovering talents, providing local creatives with a stage to reach a wider audience.

“It has also helped elevate many of our creatives to new heights through exposure to high standards via international events and established performers, such as the World Press Photo Exhibition, the World Craft Council event, and many more,” he commended.

This year’s WAK Festival introduced two new satellite festivals, WAK Sibu and WAK Miri, aimed at further extending its reach by involving creative talents and enthusiasts from the central and northern regions of Sarawak.

The success of these satellite festivals underscored WAK’s role as a primary platform for the creative community and audiences to showcase and celebrate the arts and culture of Sarawak. — DayakDaily