Copyright dayakdaily
By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, Sept 27: The annual Kuching Inter-Cultural and Mid-Autumn Festival at Carpenter Street has grown into a true people’s celebration, uniting Sarawak’s multi-ethnic communities and showcasing the State’s enduring spirit of unity. The 22nd edition of the festival once again brought Kuching City to life, featuring a vibrant array of food, local products, and cultural performances that reflected the diversity of its people. Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the festival’s ongoing success demonstrates how Sarawakians celebrate every festival inclusively, regardless of background. “Although this festival has its roots in the Chinese community, we see other communities, including the Malay and Dayak, actively participating by opening stalls, enjoying the festive atmosphere, and using it as a platform to generate income. “This is the Sarawak way of celebrating every festival,” he said during the opening ceremony at Carpenter Street on Friday night (Sept 26), which was streamed live via his social media. He highlighted that the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important celebrations in the Chinese calendar, second only to Lunar New Year, and is widely observed around the world. Abdul Karim added that the festival, which features more than 50 stalls offering both halal and non-halal food along a single street route, aligns perfectly with Kuching’s recognition as a UNESCO Gastronomy City since 2021. The 11-day festival also provides economic opportunities for small traders while attracting domestic and international tourists eager to experience Sarawak’s unique multi-cultural celebrations. “Apart from giving vendors the opportunity to earn income, this festival is also excellent for tourism, allowing visitors to enjoy and experience local food and culture as they tour the city,” he said. He commended the organisers for successfully turning the festival into a platform that strengthens community bonds while promoting Kuching as a safe and visitor-friendly city. Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datu Sherrina Hussaini, and festival organising chairman, Kapitan Lim Chuan Chan. — DayakDaily
