Artists From Across Borneo Attend Inaugural BCCD Festival In Kota Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Borneo Creative & Culture District (BCCD) 2025 festival in Kota Kinabalu has opened a new chapter in strengthening regional arts and culture as the inaugural event succeeded in bringing together artists not only from Sabah but also from Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan over its three-day run.

In a statement, the National Art Gallery said the festival, held from Nov 21 to 23 at Kampung Warisan Sabah (Phase II), Sabah Museum in Kota Kinabalu, aimed not only to empower regional arts and culture but also to raise public awareness of the sector’s role in the development of national civilisation and community cohesion.

“Among the participants were Ruas Garis, Sukaseni Malaysia, Borneo Bengkel, Pangrok Sulap, Haus KCH, Susur Galur, Asgardian Art, Sabah Visual Art Association, Sabah Youth Network for Creatives, Labuan Visual Art Association, University College Sabah Foundation and Sekolah Seni Malaysia Sabah.

“A variety of activities were also held, including Art in the Park, Artisan Market featuring around 40 art and craft entrepreneurs, workshops, demonstrations, forums, sharing sessions, as well as traditional and contemporary Borneo arts and cultural performances,” the statement said.

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BCCD was officiated by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) deputy secretary-general (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, and attended by Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai Mei Sing, senior MOTAC officials and representatives from related agencies.

The statement added that BCCD 2025 also featured forums and sharing sessions with artists and creative entrepreneurs, along with performances that showcased the richness of Borneo’s cultural heritage through traditional and contemporary music, dance and visual presentations.

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The National Art Gallery also expressed its appreciation to the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah Cultural Board, Sabah Art Gallery, Sabah Museum, National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, Hello Sabah and Kota Kinabalu City Hall for their support of the programme.

“The organisers hope that this first edition of BCCD will serve as a catalyst for future arts and cultural programmes and continue to elevate Borneo’s artistic heritage to greater heights,” the statement said.

For more information on National Art Gallery programmes, follow its official social media channels or visit www.artgallery.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA