A showcase of Sabah's openness

Kota Kinabalu: "Our true nationality is mankind," H. G. Wells, father of science fiction and prolific British writer once wrote. This terse and vigorously expressive pithy saying probably best captures the attitude, vision and mission of City Parade 2-5pm Wednesday by a public flaunting of 16 nations down the streets of the Kota Kinabalu City, in conjunction with the 10th Sabah International Folklore Festival.

The troupes ended the short parade with scintillating folk dances of their countries in a pocket show at the Lintasan Deasokan beside City Hall.

Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir said: "Great performances, really entertaining, enjoyed watching them, very happy they are here to entertain the people of KK and at the same time, makes the city lively."

Mexico, Sakha Yakutia the federal subject of Russia intrigued him, Madingkir said. Why?

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"Something unique and different from what had been seen every year," he said, thanks to the Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board for bringing the troupes from 16 countries to the city: Mexico, Slovakia, Latvia, Russia, Yakutia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Brunei, China and Bangladesh.

But credit to where credit is due: Sabah leaders have largely eschewed ethnic and religious chauvinism, trumpet traditional tolerance instead, to the people's luck and this bigger than ever festival is evidence of this distinguishing openness – one good reason Daily Express supports it.

Yet, HG Wells doesn't have a monopoly of good ideas on the oft contentious ethnic issue.

The late Robert Kennedy said: "Ultimately, the answer to the intolerant man is diversity."

Scott Peck: "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences."

One unknown guy said: "Uniformity is not nature's way, diversity is nature's way."

John Hume concludes: "The answer to difference is respect it."

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Instructive ideas such as these is upheld with by big efforts like Sabah's annual international Folklore Festival and it is in the interest of everyone in Sabah to support it by turning up at the Aug 13 & Aug 15 International Folkdance Competitions, at the Sabah Cultural Centre, Penampang, at 7pm. Daily Express is the media sponsor of the festival.

For tickets priced at RM10 (children 17 & below) and RM30 (adults), contact o88-268836 (Sabah Cultural Board); 088-715466 (Sabah Cultural Centre; Jason Blasius, Liaison Officer 0138501579; and for further information, call 088-258762/ 269862.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00