Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Fest made its much-anticipated comeback after a six-year hiatus, celebrating the State’s cultural diversity under the theme “Unity in Diversity, Culture Unites Us.”First introduced in 1988, the annual event grew into one of the State’s signature cultural events but was put on hold for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said its return reflects Sabah’s commitment to preserving and promoting its unique heritage while boosting cultural tourism.
She said it is not just a cultural celebration but a platform to promote the State’s rich heritage to global audiences and reminded the people that culture is the glue or bond that binds communities together.
“Sabah Fest is more than just an event. It is a stage where the rich and mesmerising cultures of Sabah shine.
“We are committed to curating news and special features that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of our cultural heritage,” she said, when launching the Sabah Fest Extragavanza’s showcase at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) Open Plaza Saturday night.
Present were Mayor Dato’ Sri Dr Sabin Samitah, Deputy Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datin Dr Cleopatra Asing, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sri Pelancongan Sabah Thonny Chee and SICC CEO Datuk Dr Rosmawati Lasuki.
“Although this year’s celebration is centred in Kota Kinabalu, we ensured the spirit of Sabah Fest reaches far beyond these grounds through live broadcasts on TV Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and HelloSabah. Our goal is simple: to share Sabah’s culture with as wide an audience as possible,” she said.
Over the past four weeks, Sabah Fest has staged vibrant ethnic dance performances at key locations such as Gaya Street, Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and Suria Sabah, before culminating in the grand showcase at SICC.
