The Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 will be held from 11 to 13 July 2008 at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, a 45-minute drive from the State's capital, Kuching.

Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and presented by Celcom, the award-winning festival is one of Malaysia's best-known event. It is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo.

Entering its 11^th year, the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival has evolved into a must-attend music festival. With 16 groups of local and foreign musicians performing this year, festival-goers can expect various genres of world beat ranging from Celtic fusion, Socca, folk, Baul, fusion and traditional.

The performers hail from all corners of the world comprising New Rope String Band (United Kingdom), Yakande (Gambia/Guinea), Pinikpikan (The Philippines), Adel Salameh (Palestine), Ross Daly Quartet (Greece), Fadomorse (Portugal), Kasai Masai (Congo), Hiroshi Motofuji (Japan), Cholo Valderamma (Columbia), Oikyataan (India), Beltaine (Poland), Sheldon Blackman and The Love Circle (Trinidad & Tobago).

Malaysia is represented by four bands comprising Anak Jati Bisaya Orchestra, Kan'id, Senida and Tuku Kame. Both Senida and Tuku Kame are the resident band and performers of Sarawak Cultural Village.

The festival is maintaining its formula of afternoon informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts, followed by evening performances on the main stage.

However, two fringe events comprising Rainforest World Craft Bazaar (RWCB) 2008 and Folk Art Forum (FAF) have been included to add more excitement to the festival. The RWCB will be held from 9 to 15 July while the FAF is from 9 to 10 July.

Each daily ticket is priced at RM90 for an adult and RM45 for children between three and 12 years old. For a three-day pass, tickets are priced at RM250 for an adult and RM100 for children between three and 12 years old. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketcharge.com.my and are also available at the Visitor Information Centre in Kuching.

The Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak. It is also the winner of the Heritage and Culture PATA Gold Awards 2006.

For more information, please contact :-

Sarawak Tourism Board
6th & 7th Floor, Yayasan Sarawak Building
Jalan Masjid, 93400 Kuching
Sarawak, Malaysia
Phone    : +6082-423600
Fax        : +6082-416700
Email      : mailto:sarren@sarawaktourism.com
Website  : http://www.sarawaktourism.com/

Issued by: Advertising & Publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 10 July 2008
For more information, please contact 03- 2615 8442/ 8447 or
email: sitirahmah@tourism.gov.my
Log on website: http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/