KUCHING: The WAK Festival has officially opened its Call for Proposals (CFP) for the 2026 edition, inviting artists, creative communities, organisations and cultural practitioners from Sarawak and the region to submit programme proposals to enliven the festival.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, on Friday.

According to him, the festival has now established itself as an important platform in promoting Sarawak's arts, culture and lifestyle to a wider audience.

"WAK Festival reflects Sarawak's creative, diverse and forward-looking identity, as well as playing a role in strengthening the network of creative communities at the local and regional levels," he said during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Festival Director Donald Tan said the eighth edition of the festival carries the theme ‘Shoots’, symbolising growth and the emergence of new ideas within Sarawak’s creative ecosystem.

According to him, the theme reflects the process of talent development, creative collaboration and emerging arts enterprises, providing space for new ideas to emerge and grow in the local creative industry.

He explained that the approach aligns with open-access arts festival concepts such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, widely recognised as a platform for creative experimentation and a space for new talents to showcase their work to broader audiences.

“WAK provides an opportunity for the creative community to try out new ideas, form collaborations and develop creative enterprises that can grow beyond this festival,” he said.

By elevating Sarawak’s identity, the ‘Shoots’ theme also places emphasis on the development of young talents and new creative enterprises at an early stage, thus helping to strengthen the state’s creative industry progressively from the grassroots level.

Throughout June and October 2026, the festival will provide an open platform for the local, regional and international creative community to present their work and showcase their creativity in various public and private spaces in Sibu, Miri and Kuching.

Through an open access approach, the festival encourages active participation from collaborators across various fields of art, culture and lifestyle, with involvement from neighbouring states and regional countries expected to further enrich the festival's diversity.

Interested artists, organisations and community groups can submit programme proposals via the festival's official website at www.wakfestival.com. -UKASnews

Prepared By : Ezzah Syafiqah
Photo : Ezzah Syafiqah
Translator: Nerissa Sia