SIBU: The Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) is set to host its popular annual event, Karnival Kebudayaan Durin 2024, from Apr 26 to 28 at Durin Bazaar and Durin Waterfront.
SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said the council has secured funding totalling RM100,000 from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries, and Performing Arts Sarawak and an additional RM100,000 from the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
“We have merged Karnival Kebudayaan Durin and Simfoni Batang Rajang this year, with the Simfoni Batang Rajang Night set for Apr 27 from 6 pm to 12 midnight, showcasing a concert featuring international sape artists.
“The lineup includes Thambunesia from Indonesia and local sape artists such as Mathew Ngau, Jerry Kamit, Klunan Maggat, and Kumpulan Kemada,” he told a press conference here today.
There are a variety of activities, including remote control boat competition, sepak takraw match, Iban karaoke song competition, a Chinese cultural stage, blowpipe contest, duck catching contest, ngajat competition, and mini regatta.
The opening ceremony will be officiated by Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, who is the Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
“The carnival’s closing ceremony will be officiated by Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah,” Sempurai added.
He hoped that the carnival would draw not only locals but also visitors from the surrounding areas.
“We typically attract around 5,000 people each year. Our aim is to attract and showcase our culture to a wider audience,” he said.
Also present were SRDC secretary Ng Siang Wei and organising chairman Datuk Teo Boon Siew.
