Kota Kinabalu - Learning about other cultures while at the same time exposing the rest of the world to ours is essential for a rising resort city like Kota Kinabalu, Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim said Wednesday.
This is exactly the idea behind the 8th City Anniversary Cultural Extravaganza set for 3, 4 and 5 February at Dewan Canslor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Except for the Ukranians, the Brazilian, Irish, Kenyan, Polish, Scottish and Spanish dance troupes have arrived to join a diversity of indigenous folk groups and celebrities for three grand cultural stage shows on the aforesaid dates.
But as a prelude to the grand stage shows, these legions of exotic and local ethnic folk groups, all garbed in their respective traditional costumes, will take part in the 8th KK City Anniversary Street Parade at Promenade Boulevard this Saturday night.
Iliyas, who hosted a luncheon for the international troupes at the Mediterranean Restaurant, Tanjung Aru, Wednesday, said a TV documentary he saw on folk culture was what sparked his interest.
After witnessing an impressive street parade featuring Kazakshtan, Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Poland , Russia, China, Brunei, Singapore, India and Japan in connection with the Sabah International Folklore Festival last September where he was guest of honor, Iliyas decided he wanted a similar cultural fanfare for KK`s 8th jubilee.
"I discussed it with Wan Maria Othman Lee (City Hall Deputy Director General) and told her "you better bring them here to perform in City anniversary celebration."
Cost also played a part, Iliyas said. "For us to go to Brazil and Ukraine is very expensive. So it`s better to bring them here to let our people see and learn from their culture and we can also ask them to see our culture.
"This way, every one learns about one another. It is very important that we do that together as a city," Iliyas said.
So, thanks to Elyas, Malaysians in Sabah would also get to see a Spanish flamenco dance. Performed by full-blooded Spaniards, this has to be a real sight to behold.
Source : www.dailyexpress.com.my (1 Februari 2008)
