KUCHING, Sunday – 16th edition of Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) are welcoming 135 volunteers among the public. The volunteers will get an opportunity to gain experience, working at this annual music festival that ranked among the best 25 international festivals in the world.
FINAL TEAM SELECTED – The RWMF Artistic Director, Jun Lin (left) and Narawi Rashidi of Sarawak Cultural Village (right) at the volunteers briefing session this afternoon at Sarawak Tourism Board office.
The festival Secretariat received more than 400 applicants from 5 countries worldwide over the last few months. 50 will work in the Schleppers unit who will actively involve executing the logistics, technical and operational aspects on stage. The remaining volunteers will work at the Secretariat, Media Centre, Merchandise stalls, Access Control, Survey and other smaller festival segments.
“It has been a tradition of the festival, providing this platform to the volunteers among the public to gain experience in managing the event”, said Director of Corporate Communications – Sarawak Tourism Board, Madam Angelina Bateman. Adding to that, most of the applicants were received from those who highly qualified. Thus the festival depends much on their expertise and interest, she added.
Every year, RWMF is like a family ‘get-together’ when most of them return to volunteer at the festival. The commitments from the volunteers are wonderful and they are ready to help while enjoying their job at the festival. The RWMF Artistic Director, Ms Jun Lin said, “Working on a big many-layered production like the Rainforest fest is complex, hard work and 600% concentration. Having a strong and supportive team is essential. Then we all have a great festival”.
The festival provides the volunteers with complimentary entry to the festival, accommodation as well as Festival’s T-Shirt which to be worn while on duty. They will also receive a certificate of volunteering, which will make an additional reference in their biographies.
The volunteers will work on shifts during 3-days event over the weekend from 28-30 June.
135 volunteers will be assigned to look after 21 bands confirmed for the RWMF this year. The bands are Rafly Wa Saja (Acheh, Indonesia), Mohsen Sharifian & The Lian Band (Iran), Nunukul Yuggera (Australia), Habadekuk (Denmark), Dizu Plaatjies & The Ibuyambo Ensemble (South Africa), Spiritual Seasons (Ukraine), Pine Leaf Boys (USA), Chet Nuneta (France), Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica (Columbia), Kries (Croatia), Kila (Ireland), Alp Bora (Austria) and Palsandae : Korean Performing Arts (Korea).
The international bands will be joined by Sarawak and Malaysian bands like Madeeh (Bidayuh traditional root), Juk Wan Emang (nose flute of Kayan), Native Chanting (oral blessings from the various indigenous tribes of Borneo), Maya Green (Sape), Rhythm in Bronze (Gong and Gamelan), Lan E’ Tuyang (Sape and Orang Ulu dance), Sarawak Drums (percussion instruments of Sarawak) and Shangyin Chinese Chamber Music Ensemble (Chinese traditional interwoven with Sarawak flavour).
Festival tickets priced at RM120 for adults and RM60 for children aged 3 to 12 are now available on line at www.ticketcharge.com.my. A 3-day pass for adults costing RM330 and RM160 for children aged 3 to 12 are also available.
