The Bisserov Sisters have performed around Bulgaria and the world for more than 30 years, renowned as representatives of authentic folklore and a living tradition.

Gifted with fine voices and musical memories, they have collected music from aunts, grandmothers, folk dances, working-bees, wedding parties, spring feasts and harvest festivals and revolutionary or haidouk songs. Those for different religious feasts, mythical and domestic family life songs, songs for love and comic songs combining varied melodies, strictly rhythmic or non-measured, primitive and rich in ornaments with the typical 'whoops' of indefinite pitch.

Two-part singing is a distinguishing characteristic of the Pirin musical folk dialect. This is a primitive singing technique with its most frequently used harmonic combination of seconds, thirds and quarters; where the chords of seconds prevail.

The two-part singing style is performed mostly by three singers. One of them will lead the melody and deliver the 'whoops', while the other two add a second bourdoning voice which is usually on the primary tone of the melody, though sometimes on the second degree, thus forming a second tone centre or even a unison with the first voice when it descends to the sub-primary tone.

Their repertoire is drawn from the Pirin region of southern Bulgaria; and they accompany themselves with typical local instruments such as the tarabuka, tambura, and tambourine, which feature the combination of sounds peculiar to a primitive diaphony, rich and versatile metro-rhythm and expressive performing style.

The sound of Balkan music is unique and magical and the Bisserov Sisters have woven their musical spell in concerts, TV, and films around the world. For their Malaysian appearance, they have included two master musicians on the gajda (bagpipe) and gadulka (violin).

Their stunning, hand made, traditional costumes, handed down from previous Bisserov generations, complements their beautiful music and dance. In this way, they are preserving a traditional national identity.

The Rainforest World Music Festival is a major international event featuring prominent touring world musicians sharing the stage with indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo.

This 3-day festival (9 to 11 July 2010) is held at the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum where the traditional habitats of Sarawak's major ethnic groups have been lovingly reproduced. Set amid lush rainforest greenery at the foothills of jungle clad Mount Santubong, and a stone's throw away from the beach resorts of the Santubong peninsula, the village provides the ideal venue for this festival that celebrates nature, traditional music and the indigenous cultures of the world.
The magic of the festival is our afternoon themed interactive "workshops", where artists of similar instruments or interests are pulled from the various groups to demonstrate their craft and to find a common music. Example themes are: Women's voices, Bamboo Instruments, Drums of the World, Gypsy Music, etc.

We also feature two side-by-side evening stages that run alternately for a non-stop evening of music. Our ever-growing audience of over 22,000 is a thorough mix of local residents, and guests from throughout Asia, and around the world.

The RWMF, heralded as one of the most unique festivals in the world, is a not to be missed event guaranteeing an experience of a lifetime in the heart of the Borneo Jungle.

The 13th edition RWMF features 20 confirmed performers; they are Braagas – (CZEZCH REPUBLIC), Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band – (USA), Debu – (INDONESIA), De Temps Antan – (Quebec, CANADA), Farafina – (BURKINO FASO), I Beddi – (Sicily, ITALY), Kimura – Ono Duo – (JAPAN), Layatharanga – (INDIA), Leila Negaru – (REUNION ISLAND), Minuit Guibolles – (FRANCE), Monster Ceilidh Band – (UK), Novalima – (PERU), ReelRoad – (Russia), Shanbehzadeh Ensemble – (IRAN), Yerboli – (CHINA), Galandum Galundaina – (PORTUGAL), Musafir Gypsies of Rajastan and of course the Bisserov Sisters – (BULGARIA).
The other two local bands are Sarawak; Bakih and Pingasan’k.

They are two types of pass (festival tickets); One-day pass – adult RM110 and child (aged 3 – 12 years old) RM55 and 3 days pass – adult RM300 and child (aged 3 – 12 years old) RM150. The 3 days pass will be limited and strictly not available on sale at the venue.

Tickets are available on sale at Eclipse Booking Hotline: +6 03-7729 3829 / +6 016-688 1119. Booking/enquiries also possible via email: rwmf@eclipsecomm.net or at Eclipse Events @ L5.10 Wisma BU8, 11 Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tickets are also available at Visitors’ Information Centres in Kuching, Sibu and Miri, Sarawak since May. For more information on the festival, please check: http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com
RWMF is supported by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Sarawak, and Tourism Malaysia.

Issued by:
31 May 2010
Corporate Communications & Governmental Relations
Sarawak Tourism Board
http://www.sarawaktourism.com
Tel: +6 082 423600
Fax: +6 082 416700

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