EARLY PREPARATION: The volunteers preparing for the festival during one of their meetings.
KUCHING: The secretariat of the 16th edition of Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) this year received more than 400 applications for the 135 posts of volunteers over the last few months.
In a statement yesterday, Sarawak Tourism Board said the applicants were from five countries.
“We are welcoming 135 volunteers from among the public. They will get an opportunity to gain experience by working at this annual music festival that ranked among the best 25 international festivals in the world,” it said.
Of the 135 volunteers, 50 will be work in the Schleppers unit and actively involves executing the logistics, technical and operational aspects on stage.
The remaining volunteers will work at the secretariat, media centre, merchandise stalls, access control, survey and other smaller festival segments.
Meanwhile, STB’s director of corporate communications Angelina Bateman said it has been a tradition of the festival to provide this platform to the volunteers to gain experience in managing the event.
She added most of the applicants are highly qualified. Thus, the festival depends much on their expertise and interest, she added.
RWMF artistic director Jun Lin said every year, RWMF is like a family ‘get-together’ when most of them return to volunteer at the festival.
The volunteers’ commitment is wonderful and they are ready to help while enjoying their job at the festival.
“Working on a big many-layered production like the Rainforest Fest is complex, hard work and ‘600 per cent’ concentration. Having a strong and supportive team is essential. Then we all have a great festival”.
The festival also provides the volunteers with complimentary entry to the festival, accommodation as well as the festival’s T-Shirt to be worn while on duty. They will also receive a certificate of volunteering, which will make an additional
reference in their biographies.
The volunteers will work on shifts during the three-day event from June 28 to 30. They will also be assigned to look after 21 bands confirmed for the RWMF this year.
The bands are Rafly Wa Saja (Acheh, Indonesia), Mohsen Sharifian & The Lian Band (Iran), Nunukul Yuggera (Australia), Habadekuk (Denmark), Dizu Plaatjies & The Ibuyambo Ensemble (South Africa), Spiritual Seasons (Ukraine), Pine Leaf Boys (USA), Chet Nuneta (France), Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica (Columbia), Kries (Croatia), Kila (Ireland), Alp Bora (Austria) and Palsandae : Korean Performing Arts (Korea).
The international bands will be joined by Sarawak and Malaysian bands like Madeeh (Bidayuh traditional root), Juk Wan Emang (nose flute of Kayan), Native Chanting (oral blessings from the various indigenous tribes of Borneo), Maya Green (Sape), Rhythm in Bronze (Gong and Gamelan), Lan E’ Tuyang (Sape and Orang Ulu dance), Sarawak Drums (percussion instruments of Sarawak) and Shangyin Chinese Chamber Music Ensemble (Chinese traditional interwoven with Sarawak flavour).
Festival tickets priced at RM120 for adults and RM60 for children aged three to 12 are now available on line at www.ticketcharge.com.my. A three-day pass for adults costing RM330 and RM160 for children aged three to 12 are also available.
More details are available at www.rwmf.net.