Winners based on performance
Published on: Saturday, July 02, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Winners of the International Folk Dance Competition will be judged based on how perfectly they perform their act, and not whether their cultural dance is the best and the most 'beautiful'.Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said even if a folk dance is considered 'simple', if the judges perceived that the performance was done as flawlessly as possible, that team would be named the winner."Who are we to say that this culture is better than another? I always believe that all cultures are beautiful and we should not compare just because we think one is better than the other. It is a matter of taste.ADVERTISEMENT "We may take some time to appreciate another's culture but it still does not mean theirs is inferior to ours," he said during a press conference on the 11th Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF), here, Friday.Also present were State Cultural Board Chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang and State Cultural Board Director-General Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai.Even though the event is called a competition, Masidi insisted that the nature of the event is friendly with the aim of experiencing rich cultural exchanges among participants.The two-day competition will take place on July 29 and 30 at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang, as part of the one-week SIFF programme set to kick off on July 24 with the theme 'Warrior'.ADVERTISEMENT This year, for the first time, Australia and Estonia will be sending their representatives, namely O'Shea Ryan Irish Dancers and Kullakutrajad Gold Spinner, respectively."We are pleased that Australia decided to participate. In fact, of all the teams, they were the first to confirm their participation. So we are very happy about that.
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"In total, there will be 11 teams competing, including one from Malaysia. The other countries are Ireland, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Republic Sakha Yakutia in Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand," he said.He added that the organiser had made sure that this year's participants will adhere to the cultural norm of this country which emphasises on decency and modesty, especially in terms of attire and the suitability of their performances."We have learned from past experience where we had some problems but I think now we are more prepared for any possibility," he said.The KK City Folklore Parade will take place on July 26 between 2m and 5pm in the heart of Kota Kinabalu City, while the Sabah Traditional Food and Handicraft Exhibition will commence on July 25 until 30 at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman will grace the opening ceremony of the International Folk Dance Competition on July 28 at 7pm, while Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will close the event on July 30.Tickets for the competition are already on sale and can be obtained by contacting Sabah Cultural Board (SCB) at 088-268836/268808, Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang at 088-715464 and Sabah Art Gallery Conservation Centre at 088-268748/268825.