[img_gallery][/img_gallery]
Join Vatsala Devi on a journey to a place where rainforests and rhythms come together – naturally – for a weekend of wilderness and world music.
To most, Sarawak would most probably seem an ideal place to enjoy the best of nature. Often dubbed as the land where adventure lives, Sarawak is truly a place of vast wilderness – verdant and exotic. Therefore, no one could be faulted for assuming that apart from nature, there is little for holidaymakers to enjoy in Sarawak. But, perhaps surprisingly, the Land of Hornbills also plays host to one of the biggest music festival in the region every year: the Rainforest World Music Festival. This festival bring music lovers from around the globe together for a weekend of music and fun in the tropics.
See Also: 8 Music Events & Festivals in Malaysia
Rainforest World Music
The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is a unique festival that brings together renowned world musicians from all corners of the globe and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo on the same stage. The 17-year-old festival has put Sarawak on the world map, bringing dazzling performances from near and far, and attracting more than 20,000 international and local festival-goers to the magical land of Borneo for three days of music.
Its formula of afternoon informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions, and mini concerts, followed by evening performances on the main stage, has proven to be a hit with the audiences each year.
This year’s festival, held 20–22 June, is a not-to-be-missed occasion, and has been voted as one of the world’s 25 Best International Music Festivals. It gives music enthusiasts a reason to celebrate as they witness world music combined with a country fair atmosphere in the midst of lush greenery. The RWMF affirms the power of acoustic, traditional sounds against the backdrop of Sarawak’s rainforest.
Sarawak Tourism Board‘s CEO, Dato’ Rashid Khan, said, “The event has no doubt been a contributor of tourist arrivals to the state, and as the organiser of the festival, we are proud to note that our efforts have been recognized, not only once or twice, but for five consecutive years. We will be putting together another great show this year.”
Like every other year, the Sarawak Cultural Village will be transformed into a venue where music dominates for three days. This year’s RWMF is a plethora of cultures and music, as local and international acts such as Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino from Italy, Geng Wak Long from Malaysia, Karinthalakootam from Kerala, South India, Kalakan from Spain, and Ryuz from Japan will be in attendance.
The festival site also features a variety of food and drink stalls and an arts and crafts area, as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs, and CDs by the performing artists – all contributing to a fun-filled, wholesome festival experience.
For more information on the Rainforest Music World festival, visit www.rwmf.net.
Source: Senses of Malaysia May/June 2014
Read More Articles on Music Festivals:
What are your thoughts on this article? Let us know by commenting below.No registration needed.
"ExpatGo welcomes and encourages comments, input, and divergent opinions. However, we kindly request that you use suitable language in your comments, and refrain from any sort of personal attack, hate speech, or disparaging rhetoric. Comments not in line with this are subject to removal from the site. "
