Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 – 20th Anniversary
This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 will be the 20th Anniversary and it is held at the unique Sarawak Cultural Village.
Can you imagine that is has been 20 years of running the RWMF, which originally started in 1997? And for this year, the 20th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival will take place from the 14-16 July.
The experience takes you into another world, combined with an array of world music from different parts of the earth.
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One of the world music performers at last years RWMF |
Many fringe events have been arranged for the three-day event, which includes a wellness program, music workshops, kids activities, talks, and exhibitions.
Overall, anyone visiting this festival can expect a well-balanced genre of world music from four corners of the earth, and here in the rainforest of Borneo.
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A Whirling Dervish performing at the last RWMF |
Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 Artist / Musicians Line Up
- 1511 O Maliao Maliao Dance Troupe (Malaysia)
- Abavuki (South Africa)
- Achanak (UK/India)
- At Adau (Sarawak/Malaysia)
- Bitori (Cape Verde)
- Ba Cissoko (Guinea)
- Calan (Wales)
- Cimarron (Colombia)
- Didier Laloy + Kathy Adam (Belgium)
- Dom Flemons (USA)
- Hanggai (China)
- Huw Williams (Wales)
- Ilu Leto (Sarawak/Malaysia)
- Kelele (South Africa)
- O Tahiti E (Tahiti, French Polynesia)
- Okra Playground (Finland)
- Pareaso (Korea)
- Radio Cos (Spain)
- Romengo (Hungry)
- Saing Waing Orchestra (Myanmar)
- Spiro (UK)
- Svara Samsara (Indonesia)
- Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan)
- The Chipolatas (UK/Australia)
- The Paradise Bangkok Morlam International Band (Thailand)
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Visitors entering the Rainforest World Music Festival |
Events Happening At RWMF
They are from day to night and throughout the three days. All of the events take place inside the Sarawak Cultural Village, therefore you need to buy the tickets to enter the premises.
The mini sessions will be divided into three main areas of the cultural village.
Explore world music in a closed environment where musicians perform unique sounds from their respective countries.
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A section of the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar |
Rainforest World Craft Bazaar 2017
The bazaar will see over 30 booths that showcase some of the best native and ethnic work from all over Sarawak. For anyone into ethnic jewellery or crafts, this is where you should be at during the festival morning and afternoon.
There will also be demonstrations, hands-on projects and many other activities taking place in the craft bazaar area of the cultural village. This special segment is organized by CraftHub Sarawak.
This interactive show allows visitors to experience the moment with the artist in the open area near the main stage. Shows are at 5.15 PM daily.
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One of the world music performers during the Rainforest World Music Festival |
Pustaka Bookaroo
Held in one of the museum houses, this workshop promises an interactive and exciting for both, parent and kids.
As to what kind of Asian food will be served, well, let us just say it’s local and interesting. Definitively worth exploring, if you are a foodie.
This includes talks, meditation, yoga, personal training, Budokan, Zumba, and performances. If you are into the fitness and wellness scene, this program is not to be missed.
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The crowd at last years Rainforest World Music Festival |
Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 – 20th Anniversary
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One of the local ethnic people of Sarawak pose by a traditional bamboo bridge at RWMF |
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A beautiful sunset is seen at Damai Beach, just next to the Rainforest World Music Festival |
I will be attending the 20th Anniversary Rainforest World Music Festival as it is a yearly ritual for me, and every year, I walk away very impressed.
If you have been longing for an international level world-class event, this is one of them to attend. If you are not able to attend this, you can also see the other music festivals in Sarawak as they happen at different times in the year.
Rainforest World Music Festival For Newbies
Honestly, I could not believe that a good friend who I have been working with over the last 5 to 6 years, finally came up with a travel blog.
His articles called Rainforest World Music Festival Tips for Newbies was one of his first few articles. Well done on a great job writing this guide.
Also, another newfound travel blogger friend all the way in Miri is Alyssa, who wrote a great article about the Ultimate Guide to the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 which is pretty informative. Again, this guide is very general and targets 20-30’s audience.
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20th Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2017 |
Here is also a list of things to do at the Rainforest World Music Festival, for those who are staying around the Santubong area.
There is UBER and Grab available as well. A special shuttle bus service is also provided for a small fee from the city to the event.
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