BIFA illuminates Miri with spectacular debut

Miri, Sarawak – 31 July 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) embarked on a cultural expedition that illuminated Miri with the debut of its inaugural Borneo International Festival of Arts (BIFA) last week.

The vibrant celebration of the arts unfolded over two days, from July 26 to 27, at Curtin Malaysia’s Recreation and Event Centre, transforming the venue into a dynamic hub for artistic expression under the theme ‘An International Tapestry of Nature and Culture.’ The event drew an impressive audience of well over 2,000, comprising members of the local Miri community, residents from nearby areas, and the city’s diverse expatriate population.

Datu Dr. Rashidah Haji Bolhassan, Special Administrative Officer at the Sarawak Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, represented Minister Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as the guest of honour to launch the festival. In his text-of-speech read by Datu Dr. Rashidah, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim described BIFA as a landmark event championed by Curtin Malaysia in conjunction with its 25th anniversary.

“As we gather here for this vibrant festival, we are celebrating not just an exhibition of art but a powerful testament to our dedication to nurturing cultural diversity, igniting creativity, and strengthening community bonds,” he said. He emphasised that BIFA was more than just an event – it was a movement aimed at transforming Miri into a vibrant hub of artistic expression and cultural innovation.

He highlighted Sarawak’s unique ethnic and cultural diversity, coupled with its rich flora and fauna, as central to attracting visitors. “Our goal of attracting four million tourists to Sarawak in 2024 is part of our strategic vision. Last year, we recorded over 3.5 million tourist arrivals. To achieve this target, we have been marketing culture, adventure, nature, food, and music festivals,” the minister remarked.

He also explained the ministry’s tourism strategy, which centres on establishing Sarawak as a premier eco-tourism hub, prioritising unique and responsible experiences, and involving sustainable infrastructure development to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation.

He added that the inaugural BIFA aligns perfectly with the ministry’s strategy, attracting artists, performers, and art enthusiasts regionally and internationally. “The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries, and Performing Arts did not hesitate to fund this event significantly, hoping it would become another iconic cultural and tourism event for Miri,” he remarked.

He welcomed Curtin University’s sharing Sarawak’s aspirations and for its significant contributions to the event, including the world-famous Indigenous Metaverse Carrolup Project from Perth. This showcase merged advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology with Australian cultural heritage, offering a unique and engaging experience for visitors.

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim also noted that the event aligned perfectly with Curtin University’s global strategic focuses: Planet, People, Partnerships, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). BIFA championed SDG 11, promoting sustainable cities and communities; SDG 8, fostering decent work and economic growth; and SDG 10, striving to reduce inequalities. “These goals resonate deeply with Curtin University’s mission to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and dynamic world,” Abdul Karim remarked.

Meanwhile, Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig, whose speech was delivered by his deputy Professor Vincent Lee, highlighted that BIFA showcased an impressive variety of activities and exhibitions, including works by 25 artists from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and Thailand.

He said the exhibition featured a blend of traditional art reflecting rich cultural heritage and contemporary pieces pushing creative boundaries. “In today’s technological world, digital art is also becoming an accepted art form, and we are proud to present cutting-edge digital art, including a digital showcase by our AI research team and the world-class Indigenous Metaverse Carrolup Project from Curtin University in Perth,” said Professor Leunig.

He welcomed festival-goers to embrace the opportunity to learn, share, and grow together in celebration of the arts. On behalf of Curtin Malaysia and the BIFA organising team, he extended heartfelt gratitude to the festival partners, including the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Curtin University, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, and local sponsors and collaborators, such as Miri Artisan Market, Pakat Studio, University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF), Teacher Education Institute Sarawak Campus (IPGS) Miri, Meritz Hotel, R’chly Events, PACTS, and Village Mobile Sound System Services.

Notable guests at the opening ceremony included Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang; Pemancha Leonard Fong, representing Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting; Miri Deputy Mayor Tuan Haji Ariffin Mohamad, Miri City Secretary Abdul Rahman Taupek; Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Head of Information Services Division Ahmad Samsudin; Miri Visitor Information Centre Manager Denva Ajeng Wan; Deputy Director of Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Sarawak Dr. Tiwi Kamidin; Chief Operating Officer of Curtin Malaysia Sharon Chong; Corporate Affairs Manager Nicholas Leong; and Community Outreach Manager and BIFA Organising Chair Suwapa Jitman.

The festival featured interactive workshops and activities for all ages, fostering creativity and engagement within the community. The Miri Artisan Market and Pakat Studio supported local businesses, enabling the community to appreciate and purchase unique, locally-made products. Art competitions for primary and secondary school students encouraged the younger generation to discover their creative talents and express themselves artistically.

To conclude the festival, a special BIFA showcase held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, on the third day further highlighted BIFA’s commitment to cultural enrichment.

More information on Curtin Malaysia can be found at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Participants focused on producing their best work in art competition for primary school pupils

Participating artists from Chiang Mai University, Thailand

International participants and visitors mingling at the art exhibition

Local Miri artists were among the participating artists from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Thailand