KUCHING: Sarawak welcomes new events such as the inaugural Sarawak Open International Lion and Dragon Dance Cup as this will attract more visitors to the state, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
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The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said such events also helped to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and participation in sports, performing arts and heritage.
“I am pleased to witness the continuing success of Sarawak as host to many sports, social, arts and cultural events over the years.
“We just had the Sukma (Malaysia Games) and Para Sukma, we will also be having the international dragon boat race soon, and this is very good for the tourism industry,” he told a press conference here on Wednesday (Oct 9).
Taking place on Oct 26-27, the International Lion and Dragon Dance Cup is organised by the Sarawak Chinese Martial Arts Association (CMAA) and sanctioned by the Dragon and Lion Dances Federation of Malaysia.
It will feature four categories of traditional southern lion dance, high pole southern lion dance, northern lion dance and luminous dragon dance.
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Abdul Karim said the event is set to be the largest of its kind in Sarawak, with 40 dragon and lion dance teams from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam confirming their participation so far.
He also said the lion dance was a symbol of cultural unity in Sarawak as practitioners come from various ethnic groups including Iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Melanau and Orang Ulu.
“This cross-cultural involvement reflects the spirit of mutual respect and appreciation that defines Sarawak’s multiethnic society.
“The participation of diverse communities in lion dance performances adds depth to its significance, turning it into a broader expression of Sarawak’s shared cultural identity,” he said.
CMAA president Chester Lim said the association looks forward to holding the competition again in the future.
“We would like to make it bigger in the years to come,” he said.
-TheStar