James Chan, mayor of MBKS
KUCHING: Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor James Chan said the much awaited Kuching Festival will be held earlier – from July 20 to Aug 12 – so as not to coincide with Hari Raya Puasa.
Muslims would celebrate Hari Raya tentatively on Aug 19.
He said this year is the 25th anniversary of Kuching as a city.
Apart from the existing 146 food stalls, the council would try to accept extra application of 138 and will set up booths for them.
This year, there will be 108 trade booths.
“We want to give a chance to everybody. This is a community event especially for young people who want to try doing business. We give priority to them,” said Chan at a press conference here yesterday.
The festival fair comprises three core activities namely Food Fair, Trade Fair and Nightly Entertainment.
The Food Fair this year will consist of stalls selling a variety of local food, drinks and international cuisine for the public to relish.
As for the Trade Fair, it comprises outdoor and indoor stalls.
Exhibitors include motor firms, banks and financial institutions, household appliances, property developers, computer and IT companies, machineries, healthcare, telecommunication, furniture, building and interior design.
The garden show to be held daily from July 20 to Aug 12 welcomes landscape lovers to learn about horticulture and the environment. Various types of exotic plants will also be exhibited.
The Folk Dance will be held on Aug 5 from 7pm onwards. This is a mass performance of various ethnic dances to reignite public’s passion in preserving this invaluable cultural heritage.
Another dance display, Yuanji Dance, will be held on Aug 8, start from 7pm. Yuanji Dance is a mixture of martial arts, physical therapy, meditation, dance, qigong and tai chi exercise that is originated from China. This dance promotes health for all.
The Concert of Oriental Music will be presented by a local music orchestra on Aug 4. During this colourful and rhythmic musical display, different traditional oriental orchestras will perform to flaunt their prowess of musical skills and forte for the public.
The Martial Art display will showcase various types of self-defense art like wushu, taichi, silat, taekwondo, silamban and akido.
In conjunction with Kuching Festival 2012, there will be various sport events for the public to test their competency. This includes Sports Toto Basketball Jamboree on Aug 5 and Kite Display.
‘Kejohanan Bola Sepak Remaja-Piala Datuk Bandar’ will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from June 23 onward and the grand finale is on July 8 at MBKS’s Jubilee Ground.
The Hockey Tournament-Datuk Bandar Trophy will also be held as part of the festival sports during Kuching Festival.
Those who have talent in acting, singing, dancing, performing, playing traditional musical instrument, acrobatics and martial art are welcome to join the new event, ‘Kuching Got Talent’. Judges are invited from Astro.
Another new programme this year is the ‘Poster Competition’ with the theme of ‘Soul of Kuching’. Talented youth are welcome to showcase their creativity.
For more information, members of public can go to MBKS office building or call 016-8607878.