6TH SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL 2011
(17TH -26TH JULY 2011)
The state government of Sabah Malaysia emphasises the importance of culture in its development agenda. One of the government efforts to promote, preserve and develop traditions and cultures of Sabah is by organising the Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF), which Sabah Cultural Board is the secretariat. The first SIFF was in year 2001 from May 29 to June 2. It was organised in conjunction with the Colours of Malaysia Month and Kaamatan Festival, a harvest festival fiesta by the largest ethnic group in Sabah namely the Kadazandusuns. It was participated by eleven countries namely Malaysia, Poland, Taiwan, Austria, Croatia, Canada, Mali, Argentina, Brunei, China and Turkey. The friendly best performance competition was won by Poland, Turkey and Vietnam for the first, second and third places respectively.
The second SIFF was in September 4 to 11, 2004 and participated by ten (10) groups from Malaysia, Philippines, Italy, Poland, Belgium, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia and South Africa. All the ensembles presented their folkdances to the audience in a spectacular performance. Again, Poland was the winner of the friendly best performance competition, followed by Philippines and India for the second and third places respectively.
The third SIFF was in the year 2007 from 2nd to 8th September. Participation was from twelve (12) countries namely Brunei, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Russia took the top prize in their debut in the folkdance performance competition while the regaining champion Poland came second and Kazakhstan came third.
The fourth SIFF was in July 2nd to 8th 2009. It was participated by eleven groups namely from Kazakhstan, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Kalimantan Indonesia, Java Indonesia, and Negeri Sembilan of Malaysia. Tacloban Performing Arts Group almost made a clean sweep of all the prizes by being the Overall Winner, Best Choreography, Best Music and Best Male Dancer categories. Daya Presta group from Java was the Second Place, and Best Female Dancer categories. Kazakhstan took the Third Place and the Best Costume Award.
The fifth SIFF was in July 18th to 27th 2010 and participated by thirteen (13) groups from namely from China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Philippines, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Uzbekistan. Taiwan was voted as the Overall Winner (Chief Minister’s Award)and Best Female Dancer Award (Ms. Tu Meng Chieh) followed by Indonesia for winning the Culture Minister Award (second place) and Thailand for Jury Award (third place). The Best Music Award went to Uzbekistan, Philippines for the Best Performance Award, Singapore for the Best Choreography, Kazakhstan for the Best Costume Award and Romania (Mr. Nita Lonut Nicusor) for the Best Male Dancer Award.
The state government decided to make SIFF as an annual event since 2009. Elements in the SIFF have also improved, which include international folkdance competition, local folkdance competition, folk art exhibition, exhibition by all the participating groups, cultural exchange workshops, and touristic excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman, Mount Kinabalu National Park or other places of interest.
Sixth (6) SIFF will be taking place from 17th to 26th July 2011 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (arrival on the 17th and departure back on the 26th). Sixth SIFF is not only a folkdance festival but also a venue for cultural exchange. See you there!
OBJECTIVE OF SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
SIFF provides the opportunities for the culture enthusiasts to enjoy and witness the beauty and uniqueness of cultural dances performance by various ethnics of the world. SIFF is truly meant to be an East-West Cultural rendezvous in promoting peace through culture.
The main objective of the Sabah International Folklore Festival is to promote culture tourism among participating countries and to introduce the state’s rich and unique cultures. The objectives of the event are as follow:
- To promote understanding and goodwill;
- To celebrate mankind brotherhood through cultures;
- To promote culture tourism among participating countries; and
- To promote Sabah as an attractive tourists’ destination in Asia: Malaysia Truly Asia
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL?
We are inviting folkdance ensembles around the world to participate in this Festival. This annual event is organised annually in the month of July. Participating groups have only to pay their travel expenses to and from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. Other expenses, which include accommodation, local transportation and food throughout the festival, are the responsibility of the organiser. The information, details and updates including terms and conditions of participation, and on-line registration (for ensembles), are available athttp://www.sabah.gov.my/lks. If you are a culture enthusiast, then this folklore festival is not something for you to miss. Inquiries should be addressed to:
Mr. Joisin Romut
Chief Liaison Officer
Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF)
Lembaga Kebudayaan Sabah
Wisma Budaya, Locked Bag 132,
88740 KOTA KINABALU, SABAH MALAYSIA
Chief Liaison Officer
Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF)
Lembaga Kebudayaan Sabah
Wisma Budaya, Locked Bag 132,
88740 KOTA KINABALU, SABAH MALAYSIA
Email: borneosiff@gmail.com
Tel: +6088259457 (O) +60198218718 Fax: +6088264235
6th SABAH INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL 2011 (TENTATIVE)
| DATE | TIME | VENUE | ACTIVITIES |
| 17 July 2011 (Sunday) | Kota Kinabalu International Airport | Arrival of Participating Groups | |
| Hotel | Registration | ||
| 18 July 2011 (Monday) | 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Promenade Hotel | Technical and Program Briefing |
| 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Promenade Hotel | Tourism Briefing: "World Class Tourism Destination of Sabah" | |
| 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Kota Kinabalu City | City Tour | |
| 7.00 pm | Promenade Hotel | Welcoming Dinner | |
| 19 July 2011 (Tuesday) | 9:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang |
|
| 10:00 am - 11:30 am | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | Cultural Exchange Workshop | |
| 01:00 pm - 02:30 pm | Centre Point, Sabah | Pocket Show & Promotion | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Cultural Parade | ||
| 20 July 2011 (Wednesday) | 09:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang |
|
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Istana | Courtesy call with TYT | |
| 01:00 pm - 2:30pm | 1 Borneo | Pocket Show & Promotion | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:30 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | Local Folkdance Competition (Tugu Budaya) - Day 1 * Primary & Secondary School Competition | |
| 21 July 2011 (Thursday) | 09:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | Folkart Exhibition |
| 09:00 am | Mount Kinabalu National Park or Tunku Abdul Rahman Park Island | Touristic Excursion | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:30 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | Local Folkdance Competition (Tugu Budaya) - Day 2 (Final) * Special appearance to all 6th SIFF 2011 participants | |
| 22 July 2011 (Friday) | 09:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang |
|
| 02:00 pm - 04:00 pm | The Magellan Sutera Resort | Prime Show 2011 Rehearsal | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:30 pm | The Magellan Sutera Resort | Prime Show 2011 | |
| 23 July 2011 (Saturday) | 09:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang |
|
| 09:00 am - 12:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | International Folkdance Competition Rehearsal | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:30 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | International Folkdance Competition Day 1 | |
| 24 July 2011 (Sunday) | 09:00 am - 04:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang |
|
| 09:00 am - 12:00 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | International Folkdance Competition Rehearsal | |
| 07:00 pm - 10:30 pm | Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang | International Folkdance Competition Day 2 (Final) | |
| 25 July 2011 (Monday) | Shopping Mall | Free and easy - shopping | |
| 07:00 pm | Pentas Mat Salleh, Muzium Sabah | Farewell party | |
| 26 July 2011 (Tuesday) | Kota Kinabalu International Airport | Departure of participating groups |
SIFF LOCATION
The Heritage Of Sabah
