KUCHING: Founder and chairman of iCube Innovation, Datuk Patrick Liew has given his support to the Gathering of Tribes Borneo: Capoeira Retreat 2022 (GOT) organised by Flow Event Management in partnership with Capoeira Arvore Da Vida Mestre Pontape.
Liew stated that he would want to see a larger event dubbed the Gathering of Borneo held early next year in order to attract more countries and participants.
“Whatever you do, the effort, time and energy spent, make sure the result translates and people know what you are doing so that it is easier for you to carry on and expand the activity.”
According to the founder and head coach of Sarawak Capoeira, Malcolm Wu, GOT 2022 will be held from Dec 12-21 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of capoeira in Sarawak.
“Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, dance, acrobatics and music. It is a constantly evolving art form with its origins dating back to the 16th century in Brazil and is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“The Capoeira Arvore Da Vida Borneo is the first capoeira group in Sarawak since 2012 and its mission is aligned with the Brazilian Cultural Programme promoted by the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil,” he explained.
Wu added that the group was designed to represent the symbiotic harmony between the local and international capoeira community as well as to mutually encourage, support and nurture one another.
The group facilitates learning of the art forms, history, music, language and heritage of Sarawak and Brazil.
Capoeira Retreat 2022 will be held at Libiki Bamboo Resort Kuching. It is expected to attract 50 participants, guest teachers and artists from all around the world, including Brazil, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, the United States of America, Vietnam and Singapore.
“The event will include performances, dialogues and workshops.”
Wu added that working together with Slovenian cultural association Creative Movement Lab (Gibatorij) that was active in the fields of theatre, contemporary dance, performance arts, capoeira and world music, they were presenting cultures of Europe, Asia and South America and passing the knowledge of these diverse art expressions in the story of “The tree of life”.
Beside various events, conferences and workshops, he said they had already produced an illustrated book, a music album, handmade art crafts, instruments and performances that merged the spirits of distant but yet very similar cultures.
Wu is also honoured to present the only capoeira song about Sarawak, its people, culture and nature, produced by artist Katjusa Kovadic, performed in Portuguese with involvement of various international well respected musicians.
