Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival returns this July 26-27 at SCV
KUCHING (May 17): The Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival returns this year on a larger scale from July 26 to 27 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) near here.
This special Sarawak Day edition of the festival is expected to attract at least 20,000 visitors and will feature 200 carefully selected vendors across seven key categories.
Minister for Women, Family, and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said the festival, which began as a small celebration of Sarawak's culinary heritage, has now grown into a true reflection of Sarawakian identity.
'Nyamai is more than just food. It represents who we are – our heritage, creativity, and the spirit of the Sarawakian community.
'We must continue to preserve and elevate this culinary heritage, not only for ourselves but for the world,' she told a press conference here today.
Nancy also recalled Kuching's recognition as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy in December 2021 – a significant achievement that now comes with the responsibility of preserving and promoting Sarawak's culinary heritage on an international scale.
She said this year, Kuching City of Gastronomy and the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) remain strategic partners for Nyamai.
This includes the prestigious Nyamai Awards, which recognises individuals and organisations contributing significantly to the creative, sustainable, and authentic advancement of Sarawak's food culture.
Among the highlights of the Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival 2025 are traditional food demonstrations, craft art workshops, live music performances, cultural showcases, family-friendly activities, and interactive zones that display Sarawak's culinary diversity.
Additionally, an exclusive '2 Days 1 Night Nyamai' accommodation package has been introduced in collaboration with Damai Beach Resort, Damai Lagoon Resort, and Permai Rainforest Resort.
Moreover, an icon design competition has been launched in conjunction with the festival, where the winner will receive a cash prize of RM5,000, and their design will be turned into a permanent sculpture at SCV.
Nancy also encouraged local entrepreneurs in the food, craft, beauty, and lifestyle sectors to participate as vendors and sponsors.
'This is the best platform to showcase your products to 20,000 visitors,' she said, adding that registration is available through the official website www.nyamai.com.
Entrance to the festival will be free, and visitors can redeem their passes via Nyamai Sarawak's official Facebook and Instagram pages.
Also present at the press conference were SCV chief executive officer Jane Lian Labang, UCCN director Karen Shepherd, Damai Lagoon Resort and Damai Beach Resort general manager Anthony Lasong, Permai Rainforest Resort general manager Nazrul Nasihin, and Carus Sport & Event director Gordan Chung.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
‘Kek-Nyalang' unites Mirians in sweet celebration of Sarawak Day
(From fifth right) Ting, Yii and Lee pose with members of the organising committee during the Kek-Nyalang event. MIRI (July 24): Over 700 people gathered at Boulevard Shopping Mall here for 'Kek-Nyalang', Sarawak's first multicultural cake-sharing charity event held in conjunction with Sarawak Day. Organised by Persatuan Prihatin Masyarakat Miri (PPMM), the event on July 22 featured a total of 503 cakes of various types, donated by sponsors and shared with guests to spread joy, unity, and compassion within the community. Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting, who officiated at the event, described Miri as a city filled with love and compassion, where community welfare efforts are always met with strong public support. 'The ability to give is a form of happiness. When we help others together, we also experience a sense of joy and fulfilment ourselves,' he said in his speech. He praised the active involvement of youths in volunteerism and community service, calling them the driving force behind Sarawak's future development. 'The future of Sarawak depends not only on physical and economic progress but also on a generation of visionary, caring, and action-oriented young people.' Ting urged continued societal support for the younger generation by providing opportunities for growth through service, allowing them to become catalysts for positive change in their communities. Meanwhile, PPMM president Lee Jun Tak said the event was not only about cakes, but about extending love and support to those in need. 'We invited around 200 special guests from various special needs groups to celebrate Sarawak Day with us, sharing warmth and creating meaningful memories together. 'Charity is not just about money, but also about action and emotional connection. That is the foundation on which we built this organisation,' he added. Founded in 2019, PPMM has grown from a small group of five to more than 400 volunteers today. This year's celebration drew support from sponsors across Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, Kuching, Sibu, and Bintulu, showing the wide reach and appeal of the initiative. Also in attendance was Miri mayor Adam Yii. Kek-Nyalang miri sarawak day
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
‘The Continuum: 3 Generasi' honours legacy of Raphael Scott Ahbeng, nurtures future of Sarawak art
Sylvester (left) explains one of his paintings at Hoan Gallery. With him is Faizuan. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 24): Bidayuh artist Sylvester Jussem hopes the legacy of his late mentor, the renowned Raphael Scott Ahbeng, will continue to inspire future generations through the 'The Continuum: 3 Generasi' art exhibition. Currently running at La Promenade Mall's Hoan Gallery, the exhibition features works by three artists: the late Raphael, Sylvester himself, and Dr Mohamad Faizuan Mat, a mentee of Sylvester. 'This exhibition, jointly presented by the State Library and Hoan Gallery as their second major showcase of 2025, celebrates Sarawak's dynamic visual arts scene through the works of three generations,' Sylvester said when met at the gallery yesterday. Approximately 40 artworks are on display, with an estimated collective value of RM200,000. Sylvester also expressed gratitude to Hoan Gallery for providing a platform to showcase their creative journeys, describing the exhibition as an important opportunity for Sarawak's art community to engage with the public. 'It also presents an opportunity to engage with researchers, students, and art enthusiasts on visual arts and cultural heritage,' he said. Noting the growing interest in visual arts in Kuching, he added that the exhibition offers a valuable space not only to showcase their work but also to connect with a wider audience. 'We hope this momentum will lead to more exhibitions and increased support for local artists in the future.' Sylvester, who had studied under Raphael from a young age, described the late artist as a pioneering figure known for his bold experimentation and refusal to be confined by a single artistic approach. He noted that Raphael's work spanned oils, ceramics, caricatures, figurative art, and abstraction, reflecting a deep engagement with Sarawak's natural and cultural landscapes. 'He began his creative journey through writing and believed that writing itself was a form of drawing. 'He was also a teacher who welcomed feedback and encouraged dialogue. His spirit continues to inspire us,' said Sylvester. He also emphasised the importance of expanding gallery spaces to support emerging Sarawakian artists, particularly those working in installation, projection, and multimedia art. Highlighting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the local art scene, Sylvester noted that artistic collaborations now often extend to professionals from fields such as architecture and engineering. 'Art is evolving, and we need more space for contemporary expression to accommodate a growing number of artists. 'It is also encouraging to see creatives from different backgrounds joining the conversation – the art community is becoming more inclusive and dynamic.' 'The Continuum: 3 Generasi' features some of Raphael's most iconic works, including The Mountainous District of Bau (2010) and Santubong (2014), which reflect his signature style and deep reverence for Sarawak's landscape. Sylvester's contributions, such as Ruyank'ng and Rasunk'ng of the Ring Ladies, Kampung Semban (2023), incorporate abstract representations of traditional attire, ritual, and symbolism rooted in Bumiputera identity. Meanwhile, Faizuan brings an experimental and contemporary perspective to the exhibition. His abstract works – influenced by natural forces such as tidal waves and wind – aim to convey emotional resonance through motion and layered texture. 'This exhibition symbolises continuity and dialogue between generations. It honours the past while paving the way for future voices in the arts,' said Sylvester. The exhibition is open to the public from tomorrow (July 25) to Aug 14, and offers a series of artist-led talks, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions aimed to enhance public appreciation for Sarawak's visual arts. For further information, visit or follow @HoanArtGallery on social media. art exhibition hoan gallery lead Sylvester Jussem The Continuum: 3 Generasi
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Nest of memories and heritage
THE vast depths of the Niah Caves form a stunning backdrop to a new short film from Sarawak about a father and daughter and their community's tradition of bird's nest harvesting. Written and directed by Sarawakian filmmaker Danish Busmah, Space Between not only showcases Niah's natural beauty but explores a father's relationship with his young daughter as they navigate the weight of heritage and unspoken love between them. It's a story inspired by local culture and heritage, something that Danish hopes fellow filmmakers will explore in their work. ''Space Between is more than just a short film, it is a deeply personal story about a daughter, her father and the silent weight of memory, grief and love. 'Space Between' was shot on location in the Niah Caves. — Photo courtesy of 21 Ways Film 'But behind the fiction lies something real: our collective desire as Sarawakians to tell the stories that matter, stories that come from our heritage and lived experiences,' he said at the film's premiere screening in Kuching ahead of its release on TVS on June 15 in conjunction with Father's Day. Featuring local actors Julai Billie and Darweesha Dasuki as the father and daughter, Space Between was filmed on location at Niah National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Danish said the 12-minute film is likely the first to be shot in the heart of the Niah Caves. 'The caves and the surrounding area are home to the generational tradition of bird's nest harvesting. The movie showcases the natural beauty of the Niah Caves. — Photos by ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star 'It is this world and this legacy that inspired the emotional core of this short film.' The story also has a personal connection for him, as his father comes from Kampung Lobang Batu, Serian, which has a similar tradition of collecting bird's nests. 'That's where I got the inspiration for the story. Then we expanded it to Niah, because we feel the grandeur of the location is very understated and we really wanted to emphasise the beauty that we have.' Produced by 21 Ways Film, a Sarawakian production house, Space Between was supported by the Sarawak heritage, arts and culture facilitation fund in collaboration with TVS. Danish said the film is proof that Sarawakian stories are worth telling, not only for a local audience but for global viewers. Local actors Julai (right) and Darweesha (centre) played the father and daughter in 'Space Between', directed by Danish (left). With plans to submit Space Between to international film festivals by next year, he hoped its story will go beyond Sarawak's shores while remaining rooted in local culture and traditions. 'I truly believe this is only the beginning for all of us. We look forward to seeing more of our voices and vision taking the stage,' he said.
