LABUAN: The Borneo Arts Festival (BAF) 2026 was officially opened Friday night, ushering in three days of arts, cultural and creative programmes at the Financial Park Complex Convention centre here until tomorrow (Sept 27).
Organised by Labuan Corporation (LC) in collaboration with the Department of Federal Territories (JWP), the 13th edition of BAF brings together more than 1,000 participants and exhibitors, including participants from Indonesia and Brunei, as well as those from across Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.
Labuan Corporation said the festival served as a platform to bring together talent, creativity and cultural heritage, while providing opportunities for associations, students, educational institutions and creative communities to showcase their talents in performing arts, dance, music, fashion, visual arts and handicrafts.
It said BAF also provided a platform for artists and cultural practitioners from across Borneo and neighbouring countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen regional arts and cultural networks.
“BAF 2026 is not merely a festival of performances, but also a platform for interaction, learning, arts appreciation, creative entrepreneurship and the promotion of local products and heritage,” it said.
The festival is listed as one of the signature events under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) cooperation framework, further promoting cultural exchange and collaboration among creative communities and industry players in the region.
This year’s festival features four main events — the Borneo Creative Dance Competition and Tingkah Geruh Competition, Malaysia Creative Costume Design Competition, Jogethon and Borneo Arts and Handicrafts Exhibition and Sale.
The Borneo Creative Dance Competition and Tingkah Geruh will feature 27 groups, each comprising 14 participants, showcasing choreography, movement and artistic interpretations inspired by Borneo’s cultural identity.
The Malaysia Creative Costume Design Competition involves 15 groups presenting creative costume designs incorporating imagination, cultural identity and artistic elements.
The Jogethon, a new addition to BAF this year, features group, duo and solo categories involving 75 participants in 15 groups, 46 participants in 23 duos and 61 solo participants.
A total of RM91,400 in cash prizes will be offered for the four main events, while 1,008 entries comprising participants and exhibitors have been recorded for BAF 2026.
The festival also features the Borneo Arts and Handicrafts Exhibition and Sale, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore various handicrafts and artworks reflecting the creativity and cultural identity of communities across Borneo.
Among the supporting programmes are Instrument Sound of Borneo Solo, Visual Arts Exhibition and Workshop, Labuan Corporation Customer Day, invited artist performances, Labuan FM Mini Studio, Citra Minda Intergenerasi, National Language Decade Programme and Artisan Market.
BAF 2026 is also strengthened through collaboration with the Labuan Visual Arts Association (Lavista), featuring the Linut Batik Installation Art Exhibition, Invited Artists’ Narrative Gallery, Linut Experimental Pavilion, Natural Dyes, Artisan and Creative Crafts Bazaar and visual arts workshops.
Labuan Corporation said the diverse programmes would further strengthen BAF as a platform for promoting Borneo’s arts and cultural heritage while supporting tourism and the local creative economy.
