Sabah Cultural Board

5TH SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL 2010
(18th - 27th JULY 2010)

One of the Board’s efforts to promote, preserve and develop traditions and cultures of Sabah is by organising Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF). 2010 SIFF will be the fifth. The first SIFF was in year 2001 from May 29 to June 2. It was organised in conjunction with the Colours of Malaysia Month and Kaamatan Festival, a harvest festival fiesta by the largest ethnic group in Sabah namely the Kadazandusuns. Eleven countries participated to showcase their respective country’s popular folklore dances, which includes Malaysia, Poland, Taiwan, Austria, Croatia, Canada, Mali, Argentina, Brunei, China and Turkey. The friendly best performance competition was won by Poland, Turkey and Vietnam for the first, second and third places respectively.

The second SIFF was organised from 4th to 11th September 2004, and participated by ten (10) countries namely Malaysia, Philippines, Italy, Poland, Belgium, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia and South Africa. All the ensembles presented their folkdances to the audience in a spectacular performance. Again, Poland was the winner of the friendly best performance competition, followed by Philippines and India for the second and third places respectively.

The third SIFF was in the year 2007 from 2nd to 8th September. Participation was from twelve (12) countries namely Brunei, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. They performed their best unique and authentic traditional dances. Russia took the top prize in their debut in the folkdance performance competition while the regaining champion Poland came second and Kazakhstan came third.

The fourth SIFF was organised from 2nd to 8th July 2009, and participated by eleven (11) countries namely Kazakhstan, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan), Indonesia (Java) and Negeri Sembilan performed their best unique and authentic traditional dances. The Philippines represented by the Tacloban Performing Arts Group and almost made a clean sweep of the prizes at the 4th Sabah International Folklore Festival, by winning the Best Choreography, Best Music, Best Male Dancer (Mark Ryan Torente) as well as the Overall Winner title. Indonesia, which was represented by the Daya Presta group finished first runner-up while its troupe member, Ari Tri Marnila was voted Best Female Dancer. Kazakhstan, represented by On Alty Kyz (meaning 16 girls) clinched the third spot as well as Best Costumes Award at the capacity crowd finale at the Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang.

Fifth SIFF will be taking place from 18th to 27th July 2010 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (arrival on the 18th & 19th and departure back on the 27th). Fifth SIFF is set to be different from all of the previous SIFFs. Other than the performance of the various international participants, we will also present the folkdances of the various ethnics of Sabah during the festival – something that we cannot afford to miss! Fifth SIFF is not only a folkdance festival but it is also a venue for cultural exchange.

OBJECTIVE OF SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL

SIFF provides the opportunities for the culture enthusiasts to enjoy and witness the beauty, uniqueness and authenticity of cultural performances of various ethnics of the world. SIFF is truly meant to be an East-West Cultural rendezvous in promoting peace through culture.

The main objective of the Sabah International Folklore Festival is to promote culture tourism among participating countries and to introduce the state’s unique cultures onto the international tourism. SIFF provides the opportunity to witness and enjoy the unique and authentic cultural performances from various countries. Long lists of cultural display were drawn up to be staged at different venues in the state capital.

The main objectives of the event are as follows:- - To promote understanding and goodwill - To celebrate mankind brotherhood through cultures - To promote culture tourism among participating countries, and - To promote Sabah as an attractive tourists destinations in Asia; Malaysia Truly Asia

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL?

We are inviting folkdance ensembles around the globe to participate in this festival. Starting from this year, the organiser is making this festival as an annual event. The elements of this festival are international folkdances, local folkdances, and touristic excursion for the participants (ex. National Parks visit i.e. Mount Kinabalu, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park etc.) The details and updates including terms and conditions of participation, on-line registration, and on-line tickets purchasing (to watch and enjoy world class folkdances performers) are at http://www.sabahculture.com.

If you are a culture enthusiast, then this folklore festival is not something for you to miss. So, please book your tickets earlier to ensure seats availability.

For further details and information, kindly contact the organiser’s Chief Liaison Officer, Mr. Joisin Romut at Tel: +6088259457(O) or +60198218718 (H/P) or Email: borneosiff@gmail.com