KUCHING: The early bird tickets for Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 have all been sold, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said it reflected the good response by festival goers towards the iconic music festival.
“There are about 3,000 tickets allocated for the early birds. Majority of them are about 60 per cent local and 40 per cent international purchasers.
“Need not to worry because when it comes to RWMF, it has created a niche and name of its own. Quite a lot of those attendees that have been there few years back they come, they are repeated visitors and have joined in the last few years,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after the RWMF 2023 Sponsors Appreciation Day at Raia Hotel here today.
On the appreciation ceremony, Abdul Karim said the contributions of partners and supporters for RWMF would help in fulfilling Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)’s vision of bringing the world together in Sarawak through music.
“I am very happy to see that the public–private partnership collaboration between STB and our partners for RWMF will help in making the region of Sarawak become a leader in Responsible Tourism and sustainability in the country, and also as a viable hub for music tourism.
“With today’s demonstration of public–private partnership collaboration, it shows confidence and trust in our mission to make a positive and lasting difference in the music community in Sarawak.
“When we strive to build music tourism in Sarawak, we cannot build it alone, as the popular saying by Helen Keller goes, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much,” he said
He also said that the with this year’s RWMF theme of “Reflections”, it reflects on the course of the festival 26 years ago.
“I am proud to witness the growth of RWMF – from a humble beginning to being recognised as a music festival of international stature, attracting thousands of festival goers globally.
“Not only has RWMF become Sarawak’s ‘Star Festival’ being one of the 25 best International Festivals, it has also become an international platform that strongly advocates Responsible Tourism, in its quest to become one of the world’s most sustainable, eco-friendly festivals,” he added.
The RWMF this year is making its full physical comeback from June 23 to 25, 2023 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).
Featuring more than 20 bands from 12 countries from four continents, festival goers can look forward to performances by Grammy Award winner Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo from France of such hits as ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bamboleo’, Big Mountain from Jamaica and the United States best known for their hit song ‘Baby I Love Your Way’, Safi Theatre from Tanzania, Rastak from Iran, Fasylive from Maldives, Afriquoi from the United Kingdom, Chatusram from India, Rizal Hadi & Folk from Indonesia and Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band from Thailand. The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
RWMF2023 will also highlight Malaysian local talents from East and West Malaysia, which include Zee Avi, Suk Bini, Aseana Percussion Unit, Nadir, Steve Thornton & Afroasia, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Bekocak, At Adau, Meruked, and Orang Orang Drum Theatre.
