International Delphic delegation experiences Sarawak
An international Delphic delegation visited Kuching to explore the city’s culture, arts and lifestyle. Over nine days, they experienced traditional crafts, music, dance and cuisine, highlighting the power of the arts to connect people across borders.
A FEW days before 2025 ended, I received a call from a fellow Delphian in the United States who shared that he and his team would be travelling through Southeast Asia. He asked whether they might come to Kuching to experience our lifestyle, culture, and arts.
The island of Borneo has long carried a sense of intrigue. Today, it is becoming an increasingly sought-after destination, certainly one many wish to explore before it becomes, like so many places around the world, overly familiar and crowded.
One of the great privileges of belonging to the International Delphic Movement is the ability to visit any member country registered with the International Delphic Council. Wherever we go, there is an immediate sense of belonging, with a shared identity that feels very much like being part of a global Delphic family.
The Delphic Movement is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting peace, unity, and education through the arts, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding across borders.
On January 3, Delphians in Kuching extended a warm and memorable welcome to four visitors from New York. To their surprise and delight, we broke into a spirited rendition of “New York, New York” at Kuching International Airport, creating an unforgettable moment that instantly set the tone for their visit.
The delegation comprised Sean McLeod, President and CEO of the New York Institute of Dance & Education (NYIDE) and President of Delphic USA; Kierstyn Zaykoski, National Director of NYIDE and President of Delphic New York State; Devon McLeod, Vice President of NYIDE; and Anita Tuccillo. For them, the experience felt like coming home, surrounded by fellow Delphians in Kuching.
Sean is an executive producer, award-winning businessman, and American choreographer whose work spans more than 30 years across three continents, including New York City. Upon learning of his visit, we moved swiftly. Within just 48 hours, dancers, choreographers, and dance enthusiasts from across Sarawak were brought together for a free workshop introducing the McLeod Technique.
This emotion-based technique engages dancers’ inner feelings to facilitate honest movement while supporting positive mental health. Despite the short notice, the response was overwhelming.
Led by Delphic Malaysia President Victoria Fong and Kuching Unity Dance Association President Layna Chang, the collaboration attracted approximately 120 participants to the SUPP Headquarters Auditorium. The event received strong support from SUPP Kuching, reflecting ongoing collaboration between arts groups and community stakeholders in promoting cultural development. Feedback was exceptional, with many expressing keen interest in future sessions.
Sean, together with Zaykoski and Devon, left a lasting impression on the local dance community and provided a powerful reminder of how the arts can unite people, transcend borders, and create meaningful connections, often in the most spontaneous ways.
Over nine days, the delegation explored Kuching and its surrounding areas, paying close attention to potential venues for future Delphic Games of the Arts.
At the Sarawak Crafts Council and its crafts bazaar, they were guided by Delphic Malaysia Director of Crafts, Lucille Awen Jon, a Bidayuh entrepreneur, jewellery designer, artisan, and cultural craft activist. Deeply impressed by the authenticity and craftsmanship on display, the visitors enthusiastically supported many of the artisans.
A surprise visit to Prodigy Music Centre proved especially memorable. As a singer and musician himself, Sean shared an inspiring musical moment with Delphic Malaysia Director of Music, Sharnaz Saberi, and her students.
Another meaningful stop was Unity Park, formerly Reservoir Park, where Delphic stone sculptures dating back to 2005 still stand. Local sculptor Robert Yong fondly shared his experiences working alongside international sculptors, bringing the legacy of past Delphic collaborations to life.
At the Sarawak Cultural Village, the delegation gained rich insights into the lifestyles, dances, and traditions of Sarawak’s indigenous communities. As dancers, they connected deeply with the performers, engaged in thoughtful exchanges, and were warmly received by the Village’s General Manager, Jane Lian Labang.
The delegation stayed at Cove 55, a luxury boutique resort at the foot of Mount Santubong, where they enjoyed a serene seaside retreat that blends natural beauty, indigenous heritage, and refined hospitality.
Adding a creative highlight, Delphic Malaysia Director for Photography Kelvin Chan, who is also President of the Sarawak Photo-Art Society, a World Cup Photography (Malaysia) winner, and Malaysia’s representative to the Iceland WCP, conducted an exceptional photo shoot with the NYIDE team. The results were stunning.
One memorable evening took place at KINO Publishing House in Padungan, where local Delphians gathered to meet their New York counterparts. Delphic Malaysia Culinary Arts Director Marian Chin curated an authentic Kuching food experience sourced from local stalls. Our guests also learned that Kuching has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, recognising Sarawak’s rich culinary heritage and commitment to cultural preservation.
The final days were equally vibrant. The delegation attended the Kita Orang Blue 400 art exhibition at ARTAVERN, organised by Delphic Malaysia Visual Arts Director Alice Chang of LAI LAI Art Studio, and officiated by Datuk Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
Their last experience was a collaboration between Delphic Malaysia and the Bonsai Arts Association of Sarawak. As ecological arts is a Delphic discipline, a visit to a bonsai farm was most fitting. The New Yorkers learned bonsai pruning, Chinese painting, tea culture, and enjoyed tropical fruits, accompanied by the gentle strains of the traditional erhu.
Yours truly, President of Persatuan Delphic Seni dan Kebudayaan (Delphic Malaysia), may have exhausted everyone with a packed itinerary, but the Americans fell in love with Kuching and even adopted the local cheer of “Ooh Haa!”
