Rajang Music Festival seeks to expose youth to contemporary, traditional music

by · Borneo Post Online
Lau pens his signature to launch the fourth edition of WMNFF. – Photo by Peter Boon

SIBU (Sept 22): The Rajang Music Festival, set to debut here in January next year, aims to promote contemporary and traditional music among the youth, said Senator Robert Lau.

He said the festival, organised by Sibu Film Art Association, will take place at Robert’s Wooden House here and will also feature arts and crafts exhibitions, as well as food stalls.

“We will try to showcase artistes with genres of contemporary and traditional music. Not pop and jazz.

“I think in Southeast Asia, a lot of music is still yet to be explored and promoted,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the fourth edition of the WatchMoviesNot Film Festival (WMNFF) at University of Technology Sarawak here on Friday.

In this regard, Lau said he will reach out via Sibu Municipal Council to seek support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.

On WMNFF, the senator said the three-day festival, which concludes today (Sept 22), was organised to bring together more film lovers from across Sarawak to network.

“We hope this film festival can gain more traction. Through the art of cinema, we can connect our soul with others in the community,” he added.

Organised by Sibu Film Art Association, the event carries the theme of ‘Windows of the Soul’.

Sibu Film Art Association chairman Chris Ling told reporters that film is a form of art that reflects one’s diverse emotions and experiences.

“These emotions are like the microorganisms that form us as human beings. Without film and cinema, we miss the chance to showcase and reflect on our personal emotions, experiences, and relationships.

“Each film we watch has the power of enriching our perspective on life and helps us understand the world,” he said.

This edition of the festival features five curated films – ‘Sarawak Shorts’, ‘Director-In-Focus: Ann Hui’, ‘Asian Vision’, ‘Surprise Screening’, and ‘Surprise’.

There will be a total of eight screenings, featuring 12 short films and six feature films.