SARAWAK’s iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 will be making a “physical” comeback from 23-25 June at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching.
Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the annual festival will see musicians and fans of world music from all over the globe congregating, sharing and experiencing different sounds from around the world.
The festival’s line-up will feature a total of 199 musicians from 12 countries, across more than three continents to perform a diverse range of music genres, including Grammy Awards winner Gipsy Kings from France who is set to enthral visitors with their pop-oriented music, distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba genres.
Other international performers include Big Mountain from Jamaica, Safi Theatre from Tanzania, Rastak from Iran, Fasylive from Maldives, Afriquoi from the UK, Chatusram from India, Rizal Hadi & Folk from Indonesia and Thai Fusions Sound Band from Thailand.
The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Speaking at the launch of the 26th RWMF, state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while the international performers are no doubt the highlight of the event, the festival also acknowledges the exceptional local performers and bands who have thrived over the years.
“They are a testament to the transformative power of music and culture in creating positive impacts on our communities,” he added.
Abdul Karim further called for music lovers to support local musical talents who will perform at RWMF2023, including Zee Avi, Suk Binie, APU, Nadir, Steve Thornton Band, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Berkocak, At Adau, Meruked and Orang Orang Drum.
Sharing the theme of this year’s festival, ‘REFLECTIONS’, the Minister invited the audience to reflect on the humble beginnings of RWMF, with merely 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998.
The event has now grown to be Sarawak’s ‘Star Festival’ and internationally renowned platform, recognised as one of the 25 best International Festivals, placing Sarawak in a position to be the Regional Hub for Music Tourism and Performing Arts.
Targeting more than 20,000 visitors for RWMF2023, STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the RWMF’s international recognition had expanded from an acclaimed world music platform to being acknowledged as Sarawak’s keystone festival that strongly advocates Responsible Tourism in its quest to become one of the world’s most sustainable, eco-friendly festivals.
“Reflecting on the course of events 26 years ago, I am glad that STB had undertaken the task and am proud to witness and be part of the growth of RWMF to being recognised as a music festival of international stature,” she remarked.
“We look forward to reflecting on the next 25 years as we move towards making the RWMF a platform for Sarawak to push on sustainability and ecotourism for the next generation of music lovers.”
Ticket sales will open on April 15, with ticket prices as follows:
For further information, visit the Rainforest World Music Festival’s official website at www.rwmf.net. – April 4, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/ Rainforest World Music Festival
