KUCHING: A celebration of Sarawak’s musical diversity took centre stage at the launch of Traditional Oriental Music Night at Kuching Festival Fair 2026 on Friday night (Aug 7).
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng called it a reflection of the city’s spirit of unity in diversity.
Speaking at the launch, Wee said the term “traditional oriental music” was often mistaken to mean only Chinese classical music, when the programme this year spanned Chinese orchestral music, Malay traditional music, Dayak ethnic performances, gamelan and contemporary interpretations drawing on Sarawak’s cultural heritage.
“Culture survives not because it is recorded in books or displayed in museums, but because people continue to practise, perform and pass it on to the next generation,” he said.
He said the opening performance, titled ‘Rhythm of Harmony’, reflected the spirit he hoped to see in Kuching, comparing the coming together of different instruments under a conductor to how a successful city is built.
Wee noted that the Oriental Traditional Orchestra Kuching has accompanied the Kuching Festival since the 1980s, making it one of the event’s longest-standing cultural partners, while this year’s line-up also welcomed Gamelan BAYU from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Maragajeng, Akar Seni, the Dayak Cultural Foundation and Rhythm Waves from UNIMAS.
Wee also encouraged visitors to stay for the performances and support the local groups, saying Kuching’s diversity continues to be its strength when celebrated with mutual respect and unity.
Also present at the event were the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Department, Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud.
