World Music Festival Returns to Borneo’s Rainforest for a 13th Edition

The 13th edition of the renowned Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia will be held July 9-11 at the Sarawak cultural Village, about 30 kilometers from the state capital of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

This year, festivalgoers will see 20 groups representing all the continents, performing under a stage surrounded by the lush rainforest at the foothill of the legendary Mount Santubong. Two local Sarawakian groups, hoping to carve name for themselves, will be given chances to perform along with world class performers for the weekend.

Confirmed groups this year include, Reelroad (Russia), Novalima (Peru), I Beddi (Italy), Braagas (Czech Republic), Bisserov Sisters (Bulgaria), De Temps Antan (Canada), Minuit Guibolles (France), Layatharanga (India) and Farafina (Burkina Faso).

Also in this year’s performers list are Kimura-Ono-Duo (Japan), Debu (Indonesia), Galadum Galundaina (Portugal), Monster Ceilidh Band, (UK) Shanbehzadeh Ensemble (Iran), Leila Negrau (Reunion Island), Yerboli (China), Musafir Gypsies, (Rajasthan, India), Codey Ledet and his Zydeco Band (USA).

Representing Sarawak are Pingasan’k, the ethnic Bidayuh band from Kampung Benuk near Kuching and Bakieh, a locally home grown group based at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

Come rain or shine, the festival is expected to attract more than 22,000 weekend revellers of which 60 percent of these strong audience comes from outside Sarawak.

Complementing the festival is the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar where more than 100 booths will be made available for sale, demonstration and exhibition of handicrafts and featuring craftsmen from all over the world.

Tickets at RM110 ringgit for single entry and RM300 ringgit for the 3-day pass and are now available on sale online at rwmf@eclipsecomm.net or at all Visitors Information centers in Kuching, Sibu and Miri, Sarawak. Children under the age of 12 will be charged at a 50 percent discount from the normal price.

Ticket information sale will also be available at Eclipse Events at L5.10, Wisma BU8, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Information and ticket hotline for the festival is at +6 082-423600 / +6 016-6881119 / +6 03-77293829 or its website at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com

Organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board, the festival is one of Malaysia’s best tourism icon and has been listed under the events to be promoted by Tourism Malaysia worldwide.

The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak.