Saturday, July 10, 2010

Kuching celebrates

THIS weekend in Kuching is better known for the music festival, but an arts and craft bazaar, which is in its third year running, is fast becoming an attractive draw.

A total of 38 stalls, operated by a mix of Malaysians and foreigners, begun on Thursday and will run until the closing of the Rainforest World Music Festival on Sunday evening. Both take place at the famed Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), about 30km from Kuching.

As avid festival goers would know, some of the most entertaining events are held in the afternoons.

While the Rainforest World Crafts Bazaar (RWCB) pulls in art enthusiasts, the music workshops between 3pm and 5pm, offer a more personable meeting between performers and the audience.

The crafts bazaar, which resembles outdoor markets so common to Southeast Asia, was created three years ago for a very pragmatic reason.

The former Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Gracie Geikie mooted the idea as a way to disperse the crowds during the busy day three-day festival.

“Gracie felt creating another festival alongside would be the best way to create additional value, and also to spread the crowd throughout the village,” said RWCB director Heidi Munan.

The inaugural bazaar in 2008 exceeded all expectations.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Kuching celebrates
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