Borneo Cultural Festival

Borneo Cultural Festival, abbreviated as BCF, is an annual festival of food, music, and dance that places a focus on cultural diversity of Borneo. The festival is held in Sibu, one of the major towns in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, and was first organised in 2002. The festival regularly takes place in July, and is organised by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).[2]

Borneo Cultural Festival
Festival Kebudayaan Borneo
StatusActive
GenreCultural festivals
FrequencyAnnually
VenueTun Tuanku Bujang Square (Sibu Town Square)
Location(s)Sibu, Sarawak
CountryMalaysia
Years active2002–2019, 2022–present
Inaugurated2002[1]
Previous event18–23 July 2022
Next event14-23 July 2023
ParticipantsDayak, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, and Bumiputera ethnic groups
Organised bySibu Municipal Council (SMC)
WebsiteOfficial Facebook page

History

BCF was originally known as Pesta Sibu before going through several name changes, such as Millennium Celebration and Borneo Tribal Extravaganza.[3] Since 2005, BCF is held by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in July every year at Sibu Town Square, for a period of 10 days. It is a celebration of traditional music, dances, contests, beauty pageant,[4] food stalls, fun fairs, and product exhibitions. There are 3 separate stages for Iban, Chinese, and Malay performances.[5][6] It draws around 20,000 people every year.[7][8] Besides cultural performances, Kumang Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival- a traditional beauty pageant- are held at the Dayak stage of BCF.[9] Beginning 2023 edition, an International Night will be added on top of three traditional signature nights, namely Chinese Night, Malay/Melanau Night and Dayak Night.[10]

Hiatus

BCF was stopped briefly in 2011 before it was resumed in 2012.[11][12] The festival also went on a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.[13]

Event
View of Sibu Town Square, where the festival is traditionally held.

Historically, the venue of the main event will be held in Sibu town square so as the trade fair and the exhibition will be held on the second phase of the town square. Usually the main town square which is located next to Wisma Sanyan will be utilised by the stages and food stalls.

Dates of the Festival
Year Date Venue Attendance
2016 21-30 July[14] Sibu Town Square 500,000[1]
2017 20-29 July[15] 600,000[1]
2018 19-28 July[16] N/A
2019 18-27 July[17] N/A
2020 Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic[13]
2021
2022 18-23 July[13][18] Sibu Town Square & Sibu Indoor Stadium TBA
2023 14-23 July[10] Sibu Town Square TBA

References
  1. Borneo Cultural Festival 2017 records 600,000 visitors — SMC, The Borneo Post. 8 August 2017.
  2. Sibu Sarawak, Borneo Cultural Festival. "Borneo Cultural Festival". Sarawak tourism. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  3. "'Bigger, better cultural festival in Sibu next year'". The Star. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  4. Rodgers, Gregory. "Festivals in Borneo - Seven Festivals in Borneo not to be missed!". about.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  5. "About Sibu Tradex @ Borneo Cultural Festival 2013". Sibu Trade and Exhibition Centre (Sibu Tradex). Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  6. "Borneo Cultural Festival 2015". Sarawak Tourism Board. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  7. Chua, Andy (27 July 2010). "Borneo Cultural Festival turns Sibu into a melting pot of diversity". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  8. Tan, Raymond (16 July 2012). "Sibu set to become a city of festivals". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  9. Othman Ishak (4 July 2013). "Kumang to be crowned at tonight's finals". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  10. Philip Wong (27 April 2023). "International Night highlight of Borneo Cultural Festival 2023 in Sibu". Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  11. Wong, Philip (28 April 2011). "SMC decides to scrap Borneo Cultural Fest". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  12. Yeo, Calvin (11 March 2011). "Tourism promo to start with infrastructure upgrading". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  13. Danny Wong (31 March 2022). "Borneo Cultural Festival 2022 July 19 – 23". Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  14. International performances at 13th Borneo Cultural Festival on July 21-30, The Borneo Post. 30 June 2016.
  15. All Systems Go For Borneo Cultural Festival 2017, BERNAMA. 18 July 2017.
  16. Melanaus erect gigantic ‘Itut’ for BCF 2018, The Borneo Post. 16 July 2018.
  17. Borneo Cultural Festival 2019, Sarawak Tourism Board
  18. Danny Wong (25 June 2022). "SMC to extend BCF 2022 from July 18 to 23". Retrieved 5 July 2022.
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