The World’s Longest Rotan Mat has been rolled out at the Kuching Amphitheatre, signalling a warm welcome to all guests from all over the world to Cat City and the Asean International Film Festival and Awards 2017 (Aiffa 2017) that begins today and ends on Saturday.

The 1128.272-metre long and 28-inch wide mat produced in Sarawak using 1.4 tonnes of rotan by some 400 Orang Ulu master weavers from Baram, Murum and Belaga had made it into the Guinness World Records in 2016 as the world’s longest rotan mat.

Making two loops around the amphitheatre, the masterpiece will be showcased until tomorrow (May 5) for locals and visitors to admire its beauty and appreciate the blood, sweat and tears dedicated to the art.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas officiated at the Rolling Out of the Mat ceremony using another piece of mat with intricate motifs as a prelude to the Aiffa 2017 at Le Atelier, opposite the amphitheatre yesterday.

Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Datin Donna Wee, Aiffa executive director Jaffri Amin and Uggah’s wife Datin Amar Doreen Lee were among those present.

“As the mat is rolled out, we open our doors to welcome all of our guests and delegates to our home Kuching with open arms,” Uggah said in his brief address.

Commending the significant and tremendous achievement of the weavers, Uggah pledged to assist the handicraft makers from ethnic communities in rural and remote Sarawak market their unique art pieces to the world.

“If we have the will, if we are united, we can achieve the impossible. As you set the example, I hope that this spirit and skills will be passed down to our younger generation,” he said of the world record achievement.

“I know the hard work required to make this, from going into the forest to get the rotans, drying them, cutting them into strips and dying the strips before the weaving starts,” he added while suggesting to supply rotan cutting machine to ease their work.

Uggah assured that he will continue to support and help the ethnic community to ensure they grow in the craft industry while respecting and protecting the environment.

“While so many rotans were harvested to make this masterpiece, development and the environment can be balanced. Sarawak is committed to achieve this and we want to ensure sustainable development that respects and protects the environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aiffa festival director Livan Tajang revealed that many people were working hard behind the scenes as Kuching and Sarawak will be attempting to enter another Guinness World Record tonight (May 4) as part of the opening of Aiffa celebrations.

“We are calling all Kuchingites to take part in the largest gathering of people dressed in cat costumes in the amphitheatre. Come dressed as cats to celebrate the City of Kuching with Guinness World Record,” she urged.

More importantly, she invited locals and visitors to come out in droves to just enjoy and have a good time at the festival.

The opening night tonight will see Phua Chu Kang, Upin & Ipin, Dayang Nurfaizah and Datuk David Arumugam of Alleycats as the highlights.

Asian and Hollywood’s favourite martial arts hero Donnie Yen will make his first appearance at Aiffa as well.

Aiffa has grown to become one of the premier film fests in Asean in a short time given its biennial status.

It continues to attract the interest of cinema audiences who have come to appreciate thoughtful and skilful Asean storytelling and to discover the best of the best films in the region.

There are awards in 16 categories which recognise the contributions of directors, directors of photography, actors, writers and editors as well as for lifetime achievement and inspirations.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Karen Bong

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