Lai (seated centre), councillors and organising committee members.
MIRI: A culture and heritage based carnival, ‘Sarawakian Carnival’, will be back this year with more exciting activities.
Miri mayor Lawrence Lai said the spectacle was being put together by Pustaka Miri in collaboration with Miri City Council (MCC).
“The carnival from May 20-22 at Pustaka Miri is organised in conjunction with Miri City Day’s 11th anniversary celebration and Miri May Fest,” he said in a joint press conference with Pustaka Miri at MCC yesterday.
Lai added that the council is keen to work with Pustaka Miri to make the carnival a signature event for Miri May Fest this year.
Pustaka Miri librarian Ahmad Samsudin expects the three-day event to attract a huge crowd.
“Based on the public feedback for last year’s event, the carnival this year will be able to draw 7,000 to 8,000 people. One of the successful activities is dubbed ‘Bermukun Competition’ which proved to be a crowd puller at last year’s carnival.
“This competition attracted participants from Limbang, Brunei Darussalam and nearby areas. We are looking forward to receive more entries from both locals and outsiders for a similar competition this year.”
Ahmad said the three-day carnival will be filled with various activities to showcase the unique traditions and diverse cultures of the multi-ethnic groups in the state.
Among the activities planned are traditional ethnic dance demonstrations, bermukun competition, traditional children song competitions, movie marathon for kids, folk games and traditional cooking competitions. On other event, Lai said the council is organising a poster design competition on ‘Say No To Plastic Bags Campaign’.
The competition is divided into two categories for students below 18 years old and the open category.
“The objective of this competition is to support the council’s Say No To Plastic Bag Campaign. The winning design will also be printed on our eco bags.”
In addition the winner will also walk home with RM1,000 followed by RM700 (second), RM500 (third) and five consolation winners with RM200 each. Those interested can download the competition form at MCC’s website starting
April 11 and the closing date for the competition is May 9.