KUCHING: The familiar hum of conversation, music and creativity filled the halls of tHe Spring Shopping Mall as the ‘Seni Kita: Riang Raya’ festival opened its doors, bringing together artists, entrepreneurs and the public in a vibrant celebration of Sarawak’s creative spirit this Ramadan season.
The month-long community arts festival was officially launched by Mayor of Kuching South City (MBKS), Datuk Wee Hong Seng, today.
Running from March 6 to 29, the festival transforms spaces within the mall into a lively meeting point for creatives, small businesses and art lovers.
Organised by HAUS Kuching, ‘Seni Kita’ is a quarterly community-driven arts festival that has steadily grown into a familiar platform for Kuching’s creative community since it began in 2021.
Held in conjunction with Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, this edition forms part of tHe Spring’s ‘Roots & Rejoice: Riang Raya’ campaign, celebrating Sarawak’s cultural heritage while spotlighting local artistic expression.
Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of experiences throughout the festival period, ranging from artisan markets and immersive digital art to poetry circles, workshops and live music performances.
Speaking during the launch, Wee said the festival demonstrates how community collaboration can strengthen Kuching’s creative ecosystem.
He said events such as ‘Seni Kita’ show that the city’s strength lies not only in its economic development but also in the creativity and resilience of its people.
Recalling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts sector, Wee noted that the revival of creative events reflects the determination of local artists and organisers who continue to keep the creative scene alive.
“Art provides solace during difficult times, rejuvenates the soul and bridges communities,” he said.
He added that supporting creative initiatives also contributes to building a city that is not only prosperous, but expressive and culturally vibrant.
Among the highlights of the festival is ‘Pasa Seni Kita’, a curated artisan market that will feature over 30 local vendors across four weekends.
Visitors browsing the stalls can discover everything from handcrafted accessories and art prints to baked goods, beverages and locally designed products.
A new feature this year is ‘IMMERSIOx: Mandi Bunga’, an immersive digital art exhibition housed within a specially curated black box space.
The exhibition showcases projection-mapped artworks by artists including Blend Visuals, M. Sahzy and Bima Tanaka, creating a multi-sensory visual experience for visitors.
Festival-goers can also look forward to a diverse programme of activities such as batik workshops, spoken word performances, DJ sessions, open mic nights and literary gatherings organised by Wordsmiths of Kuching.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 8, the festival will host a panel discussion themed ‘Women as Infrastructure’ in collaboration with Dayung Warisan, exploring the critical yet often unseen roles women play across social and economic spheres.
Throughout the month, the festival continues to evolve with fresh performances, workshops and collaborations, ensuring that each weekend offers something new for visitors.
For many in Kuching’s creative community, ‘Seni Kita’ represents more than just a festival as it is a reminder that creativity thrives when people come together, share ideas and support local talent.
