Greetings.

The curtain finally closes on the 11th edition of then Rainforest World Music Festival at about 12.15 am on Sunday July 13, 2008. It was a good outing, with satisfaction clearly marked in smiling faces of the audience, their kind words heaped on us the organizer, pleasant surprises, rain and even criticisms offered.

The afternoon workshop crowd spilled well beyond the doorsteps of the various “houses”, knowledge shared beyond borders and audience clapped and swayed to the tune of music that originates from instantaneous thoughts. The none stop music from all corners of the world filled the evening until past midnight capturing hearts of the more than 22, 000 festival reveres.

Our last tally showed that  there were 7, 219 audience on Friday, a record of 9,063 on Saturday and 6,291 on Sunday. Our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and the First Lady, Datin Sri Jeanne Abdullah and our Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahumd and his wife, Datuk Amar Hajah Lila joined in the crowd on Friday evening.

The heavy rain  on early Friday evening did not dampen the spirit of revelers and the short sudden down pour early Sunday night made spectators scrambled for covers but little did it deters audience to have a good night our.

On behalf of the organizers we would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone for making this festival a success. Special mention to our presenter, Xpax, our supporter, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak and  Shell, our sponors, HSBC, ASTRO, Malaysia Airline, MASWings, Water Genesis and Guinness Anchor Berhad. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all volunteers, from near and far for the excellent job done. We also like to thanks all those who support us, for their kind words, encouragements and suggestions.

We will soon upload photographs taken during the three-day festival on line and feel free to browse through to revive the good times!

Thank you all for making this 11th edition a success and the best so far. We hope to see you again in July 10-12, 2009

Best regards

BEN JIMBAU
CHAIRMAN