Celebrating Us: 7th edition of WAK Festival opens with spectacular cultural display
- BT
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
KUCHING, 6 October 2025: The 7th edition of WAK Festival was spectacularly launched yesterday afternoon at Kuching’s Pengkalan Sapi Riverfront Esplanade, bringing together 8 diverse communities in Sarawak for a vibrant display of dress, music and song.
Officiated by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, who was represented by the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the grand opening of WAK Festival began with a drum call, calling over each community group who paraded towards the celebratory stage.
Arriving in spectacular fashion with lion and dragon dancers prancing across the iconic Darul Hana Bridge, Iban and Malay troupes by boat, and the rest from surrounding streets, each group announced their presence with the powerful beat of their drums. The resulting cacophony of rhythms and melodies reflected Sarawak’s many cultural identities, before gracefully subsiding into a moving goodwill chant led by the Iban community.
Following this dynamic opening, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim delivered the Premier’s official address, underscoring the significance of WAK Festival as a community-driven celebration of arts, culture, and lifestyle. Now in its 7th year, the festival has grown into a month-long October highlight, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.
The evening continued with an enthralling performance by one of Sarawak’s leading orchestral groups, The Band Lab, accompanied by traditional instruments representing each community. The blending of modern orchestral arrangements with age-old cultural sounds created an iconic soundtrack for Sarawak’s unity in diversity.
“Let this 7th edition of the WAK Festival stand as a proud declaration of who we are: creative, resilient, united, and forward-looking. May it be a beacon of inspiration, a catalyst for economic growth, and a vibrant showcase of how Sarawak is turning its aspirations, as detailed in the PCDS 2030 and funded by the strategic allocations of Budget 2025, into a brilliant, vibrant, and sustainable reality for all,” said the Premier, in a speech read by Abdul Karim.
“WAK Festival’s ‘Celebrating Us’ reminds us that even with our many differences, Sarawakians share a unique spirit of harmony. It is this wonderful symbiosis of cultures that strengthens our people as we move together towards building our beloved Sarawak,” the Minister affirmed.
Also in attendance at yesterday's launching, the Mayor of Kuching North, Dato Haji Hilmy bin Haji Othman, Chairman of Samarahan Municipal Council, Abang Ismawi bin Abang Ali, Deputy Mayor of Miri City Council, Haji Ariffin bin Mohamad, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor and Founding Directors of WAK Festival, Donald Tan and Marina Foo.
WAK Festival 2025 promises a month filled with community-powered events across the city, shining a spotlight on Sarawak’s creative energy, cultural heritage, and shared future.
