Malaysia’s most highly anticipated music festival, the multi-award winning Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) returns from June 17-19 at Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong.
This year, the festival themed “Legendary Rainforest Celebration” takes on a hybrid format for the first time, aptly coinciding with its 25th anniversary since it started in 1998. This gives world music fans to either come experience RWMF in person or livestream it from their homes via online viewing platform to be launched at a later date.
RWMF this year will welcome back international performers to the festival venue. from Canada, India, USA, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, China, Bhutan, and South Korea among others.
Sarawak’s own talents are also to be expected alongside international performers on the RWMF stage this year. This year’s edition will also see Majlis Seni Sarawak mixing traditional Sarawakian music with international flavours to open the three-day festival’s stage highlights in their first-time collaboration with Sarawak Tourism Board.
The official announcement of the festival was made on the morning of Apr 13 by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP). Also present were Chairman of Sarawak Tourism Board, Dennis Ngau; MTCP’s Permanent Secretary, Hii Chang Kee; MASWings CEO, Capt Nasaruddin A. Bakar representing Malaysia Aviation Group; STB CEO, Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor; and Malaysia Airlines Global Head of Marketing, Waikuan Wong, among others.
Karim striking the drum to officially launch the organising of this year’s Rainforest World Music Festival.
“I’m very proud of how far our homegrown product has come. From a humble beginning of around 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998, to becoming one of the first hybrid festivals of its kind in Malaysia. Concert-goers who miss the feel of the physical concert can come together in mutual appreciation of world music, and those around the world can enjoy world music live from the comfort of their own homes,” said Karim in his speech at the launch event.
He added that this year’s festival was one of the first international hybrid musical events in Malaysia after the reopening of the country’s borders.
“With the easing of Covid-19 into endemic phase, we will make sure the physical concert adheres to the guidelines of MKN and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to ensure the safety of the physical concert-goers,” he continued.
“With open arms, I welcome all world music aficionados from all around the globe to re-connect and rekindle the spirit of the Rainforest World Music Festival as how it has always been for the past 25 years. And now with a hybrid concept, let’s create new wonderful memories as the world unites and celebrates the power of music,” the Minister concluded.
Meanwhile, Sharzede said, “Like any RWMF celebration in the previous years, there is definitely a lot to look forward to in this 25th anniversary. It is a celebration of 25 years which will be a reunion of familiar faces both on stage and in the audience.”
“Taking environmental issues seriously and putting responsible tourism on top of mind, we will continue with our green agenda – tree planting, ban on single-use of plastic water bottles and more,” she continued.
Early Bird ticket sale for RWMF 2022 starts Apr 18, 2022 for both physical and virtual concerts on rwmf.net. Physical concert tickets will be available at: Adult 1-Day Pass (RM150), Adult 3-Day Pass (RM375), Child 1-Day Pass (RM80), Child 3-Day Pass (RM155) and 1-Day Family Package Pass- 2 Adult and 2 Children (RM400). Virtual tickets are priced at RM25.
Malaysia Airlines was named the festival’s official airline partner. The collaboration, a continuation of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s partnership with STB, will see Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Journify offering unbeatable deals comprising flights and 3-day event pass.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will have early bird deals with up to 15% and 10% off discount on selected Malaysia Airlines flights including from London, Australia and some ASEAN destinations, as well as the recently launched Firefly jet operations from Penang to Kuching. Sales start April 25 until May 14 for travels from June 1 to 30, 2022. These tickets are available exclusively for those who purchase the 3-day pass through the airline’s respective websites, and they will be required to include a unique promo code to enjoy great discounts on air tickets.
Customers can also purchase “value-for-flights” deals exclusively on Journify, offering MHflypass plus a 3-day pass to RWMF at a fixed attractive price. This gives them full flexibility, convenience, and control over their spending for the flights. Early birds can grab a MHFlypass low as RM1,774 for Zone 2 and RM1,974 for Zone 3, with flights valid for one year. Multiple payment options are available for customers, including instalment plan or Buy Now Pay Later.
MHFlypass offers two convenient options for passengers travelling for RWMF based on their destination origin, allowing them to choose the zone that matches their travel needs best.
Zone 2 offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Kuala Lumpur and destinations in Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, Zone 3 allows passengers to fly from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia destinations, with a connection in Kuala Lumpur.
For more information and book flights for your next getaway, visit the official Malaysia Airlines and Firefly website, and download their apps for easy access anytime, anywhere! Sign up to become an Enrich member to start earning Enrich Points today. To enjoy a great experience on Journify, visit myjournify.com or download the Journify app on iOS & Android, to get the latest information and grab many other exciting deals.
Majlis Seni Sarawak’s traditional orchestra previews one of the pieces in their repertoire, in conjunction with their first collaboration with STB for this years RWMF.
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