Sarawak Harvest & Folklore Festival 2026 Returns On 23-24 May
KUCHING: The Sarawak Harvest & Folklore Festival (SHFF) 2026 will make its much-anticipated return to Sarawak Cultural Village on 23 and 24 May, celebrating the state’s rich tapestry of ethnic traditions and cultural heritage.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the festival is dedicated to honouring ancestral heritage while encouraging younger generations to preserve and carry forward their cultural identity.
“The theme this year is ‘Celebrating Heritage, Inspiring Future’, and it focuses on honouring our ancestors’ traditions while inspiring the youth to carry the torch of cultural identity,” he said at a press conference held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Thursday.
The festival is a collaborative effort between the Sarawak Cultural Village and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), as part of efforts to further strengthen Sarawak’s standing as a premier cultural tourism destination.
One of the key highlights of this year’s edition is the grand musical theatre production titled ‘Belawan Burieng - The Hercules of the Keliman River’, which Dato Sri Abdul Karim described as an opportunity for international visitors to gain deeper insight into Sarawak’s local folklore.
The MTCP Minister also expressed pride in the continued growth of the festival, particularly as Sarawak prepares for the development of its new performing arts centre.
“I am very pleased with the efforts by Sarawak Cultural Village and everyone involved in making this possible, as visitors from outside Sarawak will have the opportunity to learn more about our legends and folklore through theatrical performances,” he said.
Featuring local talents including Azam Pit and Lorna Walter, the production follows the story of a half-human, half-deity protagonist, highlighting themes of courage, compassion and mercy.
Other attractions lined up include ‘Culturalvaganza’ which showcases Sarawak’s rich musical and dance heritage, alongside interactive workshops, traditional indigenous games, and the ‘Food & Drink Galore’ segment featuring local craftsmanship and authentic traditional cuisine.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim emphasised that ticket prices have been kept affordable to ensure inclusivity, with daytime admission priced at RM20 for adults, while evening performances are set at RM50.
Shuttle bus services will also operate from the Sports Village to help ease traffic congestion around the Cultural Village area.
He therefore encouraged visitors to utilise the organised transport arrangements to ensure smoother traffic flow throughout the festival period. -UKASnews
