BCF a stage to build Sibu as ‘city of arts and culture’

SIBU: The current Borneo Cultural Festival at the Town Square promises a grander event in its art and cultural exhibition, as four associations join forces to co-host the event for the second year.

The four co-hosts are Sibu Chinese Ink Painting Association which presents ancient Chinese ink paintings, Rejang Chinese Poetry and Calligraphy Association which presents the ancient art of poetry, Photographic Society of Sibu which presents photographs of Sibu of the past half century and Sibu Calligraphy Society which presents the art of calligraphy, the art of which dates back 5,000 years.

Previously, the four were hosting their individual cultural and art events separately.

Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King in his speech representing Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at the event, said Sibu townfolk have a desire for embracing the cultural arts as their quality of life improved.

He said the Borneo Cultural Festival, which his council had hosted for the 12th year, had provided a venue for this cultural art interaction.

Besides, he said the joint event helped to promote tourism.

“I am happy that through this hosting, the people of Sibu are getting together to build a city of art and culture. This is the path we shall walk on in community building.”

He praised the four bodies who are playing a major role towards this.

In this light, he hoped Island Road – a road by the river that rekindles the historical legacies of Sibu with the townsfolk, would become an avenue for street art.

He believed with the contribution of Sibu folks, the town would burst into cultural colours.

Tiong noted that the four associations are displaying more of their cultural and art works in the Borneo Cultural Festival.

“Let us move on in building Sibu towards this direction,” he said.