SIBU: Celebrating its 21st year, the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) here stands as a symbol of resilience, heritage and togetherness.
Pointing out this, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said over the past two decades, it had grown from a humble local festivity into a major cultural event that attracted thousands of visitors from across Malaysia and abroad.
“This is not just a festival — it is a living, breathing celebration of who we are,” he said at the grand opening ceremony of BCF 2025 held at Sibu Town Square on Friday night (July 4).
He was represented by his deputy, Datuk Snowdan Donald Lawan who delivered his speech.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said this year, under the theme “Rhythm of Borneo”, the festival celebrated the soul and heartbeat of Borneo — expressed through its music, dances, traditional attire, culinary diversity and rich indigenous stories.
He stressed that it was through platforms like BCF that heritage was kept alive.
This festival, he added, was a vibrant reflection of what made Sarawak truly special — a harmonious blend of cultures, faiths, languages and lifestyles, coexisting in unity and mutual respect.
Stating that it was no small feat for the festival to reach its 21st milestone, he said this longevity was a reflection of the vision, dedication and teamwork of countless individuals — from the organisers, exhibitors, artists and cultural advocates to the local community that had supported the festival year after year.
He added that it was a festival that transcended generations — allowing elders to preserve customs and pass them down, and giving youth a stage to discover and be proud of their identity.
For 21 years, he pointed out BCF had nurtured cultural pride, supported the creative economy, promoted tourism and built a positive image for Sibu as a hub of culture and harmony.
He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and the dedicated team for continuing to raise the bar each year.
To the many performers, exhibitors, culinary vendors, cultural troupes, and international guests, he thanked them for their energy, talents and contributions as they were the soul of the festival.
As Sarawak moved forward under the Post-COVID Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Abdul Karim reminded that sustainable growth must include social inclusivity and cultural preservation.
He said BCF played a vital role in this effort — not only as a tourism driver but as a platform for community empowerment, creative entrepreneurship and cultural diplomacy.
“Let us continue to support initiatives that protect our heritage, connect communities, and inspire the next generation of Sarawakians.
“As we celebrate this 21st edition of BCF, may we take pride in how far we have come and look forward to how much more we can achieve together.
“Let the next few nights be filled with joy, colour, music and memories. Let this festival continue to be a bridge that connects hearts, cultures and generations,” Abdul Karim added.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Bawang Assan assemblyman, Datuk Wong Soon Koh, political secretary to the Premier, Joshua Ting Fu Ying and SMC chairman, Clarence Ting Ing Horth.
