World music festival to bring life to the rainforests once more

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KUCHING: The 18th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) will take place at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Damai from Aug 7 to 9.

The much awaited world-class music celebration will feature entrancing world music, songs and stage performances, presenting world music celebrities to resonate through the foothills of the rainforest of Mount Santubong.

Ethnic and tribal music from across the globe will be featured at the nightly stage shows with musical workshops and jamming sessions being held in the afternoon.

The festival has attracted music lovers from across the globe as they embark on their annual pilgrimage to Sarawak to enjoy a weekend of ethnic and traditional music.

It was again voted among the top 25 international music festivals for six consecutive years by ‘Songlines’, a renowned world music magazine based in the United Kingdom.

This international Malaysian home-grown event organised by Sarawak Tourism Board is considered to be the only one of its kind in the region with a uniqueness that brings together renowned international musicians and indigenous musicians from Borneo.

The festival found its unique home below the imposing shadow of Mount Santubong in the midst of a virgin rainforest, creating a strong kinship among music makers and enthusiasts alike.

This year, the festival will begin at 2pm in the afternoon on Aug 7 with concurrent musical workshops featuring various ethnic and near-extinct musical instruments followed by the two stages at 7pm in the evening, where festival-goers can experience the music and dance presentation until past midnight.

Apart from the music, there will also be delectable delights at the Food and Village Mart which includes arts and craft outlets set against Borneo’s native Orang Ulu and Iban longhouses.

Festival tickets and updates are available online or from ticketing agents at www.rwmf.net. The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism Sarawak, and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia with Malaysia Airlines and Rip Curl Malaysia as partners.