KUCHING: Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage took centre stage at the Gendang Sarawak Festival 2026, a four day celebration of traditional music, performing arts and efforts to preserve cultural traditions for future generations.
The opening ceremony at the Kuching Waterfront Cultural Stage on Saturday night was graced by Sarawak’s Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Held at the Kuching Waterfront from Oct 29 to Nov 1, the festival was organised in collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) and the Sarawak Government, with a theme centred on passing traditions from one generation to the next.
A highlight of the opening night was ‘Nadi Borneo: From the River to the World’, a special cultural presentation involving 78 performers and participants celebrating the richness of Sarawak’s traditional performing arts.
In a pre-recorded speech, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the festival represented more than a celebration of traditional arts, reflecting the cultural diversity and unity that define Sarawak.
“Beyond celebrating our arts and culture, this festival reflects the true strength of Sarawak — its people, who live in diversity, respect one another and stand united as one Sarawak,” he said.
Abdul Karim also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and JKKN for their continued efforts to preserve and promote Sarawak’s cultural heritage, while acknowledging the Sarawak Government’s support for cultural and creative initiatives.
He said the state remained committed to strengthening its creative and cultural industries, including through the development of the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, which is expected to begin operations in June 2027.
The centre is envisioned as a dedicated platform for local artists and performers to showcase their work, develop their creative potential and reach wider audiences.
He added that traditional art forms, including Malay gendang, remained an important part of Sarawak’s cultural identity and should continue to be preserved and promoted for future generations and visitors.
Earlier, MOTAC director general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said in a pre-recorded speech that the festival was dedicated to celebrating the art of gendang and Sarawak’s traditional heritage, while providing a platform to showcase the state’s cultural richness to a wider audience.
He said the Nadi Borneo presentation demonstrated the continuing relevance of traditional performing arts and the importance of passing cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
Shaharuddin also expressed appreciation to the Sarawak Government, particularly under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for its continued support and cooperation in advancing cultural and artistic programmes in the state.
“The festival reflected the importance of collaboration between federal and state agencies in ensuring that traditional arts remained vibrant and relevant,” he said.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, cultural organisations, arts practitioners and members of the public to celebrate Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage.
Through its showcase of traditional music and performing arts, the Gendang Sarawak Festival 2026 highlighted the importance of preserving the state’s cultural identity, supporting its creative industry and ensuring its heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.
