BINTULU: Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB) and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts (MTCP) will host the Borneo Ethnic Creative Dance Festival (EthDance) 2023 on November 4 and 5.

According to a statement from UPMKB, the festival was held in conjunction with the 47th UPM Convocation Ceremony at UPMKB's Sri Kenyalang Hall in November.

"EthDance 2023 is one of five programs that have been designed under Semarak Belia Sarawak in the form of a dance competition," he said here, today.

He said the festival would showcase the culture and arts of the people of Borneo and as an initiative to highlight the talents of young people, especially in the performing arts of Borneo ethnic dance. 

He said, the diversity of races and cultures in the Borneo archipelago can basically be a symbol of unity, harmony and the best model of people who want to enjoy the prosperity of living together in Malaysia and Borneo. 

Obviously, this dance competition will offer prizes in the form of cash, trophies and participation certificates to the winners. 

He said, this program is also a platform to introduce art and culture in Borneo to the international arena. 

He added that activities related to ethnic arts and culture should be stepped up over time and technology as the community in the country, especially the youth, is now more focused on mainstream entertainment and social media applications that can be easily accessed via smartphone devices that have Internet access. 

Therefore, he said, by organizing EthDance 2023, it is hoped to be able to promote this ethnic culture and arts and help highlight Sarawak and Bintulu as a tourist destination since participation is open to foreign participants such as Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

For more information, visit www.btu.upm.edu.my/http://ethdance2023.upm.edu.my/ or contact the secretariat of Rosidah Basir at (019-2762004, Asniar Salim (013-8041030) and Masna Suhaili (012-8797212).

Date of Input: 12/10/2023 | Updated: 13/10/2023 | lanz