GEORGE TOWN: Less than a decade ago, when everyone was switching to smartphones and getting a feel of WhatsApp messages, he stood firm with his trusty and iconic Nokia phone.
As someone who calls himself old-school and prefers to reach out via a phone call rather than a text message, festival director Joe Sidek was not budging when a well-meaning friend asked, “You are travelling all over the world and making impressive presentations about George Town and Penang.
“Are you not ashamed to have that old phone on the table next to you?”
His reply at the time was, “Ah, no need-lah.”
And what a difference a little ribbing made, because Sidek was soon totting the latest iPhone and unable to tear himself away from it!
By nature an inquisitive person and always keen to know about trends, people and happenings, he took to social media like a duck to water and can no longer function without his trusty iPhone.
“One of the reasons I got an iPhone is because it functions as my mini office. I get emails, make Skype calls, check my Facebook, receive and send images.
“I don’t know how I survived without this phone all these years,” said the man who placed George Town and Penang on the world map of festivals when he was entrusted by the state government with organising the annual George Town Festival.
The festival started off as an event to celebrate George Town’s inclusion as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage site.
It then evolved into an international showcase of arts and culture.
Every year until last year, the month-long event brought people from all over the world and state for a taste of world-class cultural programmes and boosted the island state’s tourism coffers.
In 2017, he was invited by the Sarawak authorities to organise the Rainforest Fringe Festival.
The launch of the inaugural Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) in Kuching proved to be a boost for Sarawak tourism, arts, fashion, food and culture, thanks to Sidek’s touch of craziness and class.
The 10-day RFF (which is now running into its third edition), serves as a
prelude to the world-famous Rainforest World Music Festival, which sees visitors from all over the world converge on Sarawak.
Sidek, who is known for his trademark songkok, baju melayu and sarong, said he was grateful to both Penang and Sarawak governments for their trust in him.
“Organising the George Town Festival was one of the most difficult but enjoyable chapters in my life.
“I have never found so much happiness — both in Penang and Kuching — in discovering new things, meeting new people, and having brilliant and dedicated staff.
“My aim is to connect Southeast Asia and make Malaysia the centre of the region,” said Sidek, who is the Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion chairman.
He is also a member of the Penang State Museum Board and the Industry Advisory Panel for the Cultural Economy Development Agency.
His heart remains in Penang when he is not zig-zagging across the world or the country to attend festivals and conferences.
This year, he is embracing a new adventure in Putrajaya.
He has been tasked by the government with directing the inaugural Putrajaya LIFT (Literacy in Financial Technology) Festival, which will be held on Dec 28 and 29.
The free and open-to-public festival is aimed at educating the people on financial technology and innovation.
It will be held at three locations in Precinct 2, Putrajaya — Menara Perkeso, Bangunan Suasana PjH and the Finance Ministry Complex. The “village-like” site includes outdoor and indoor areas.
“We are looking at taking on the fun and interactive concept of the George Town Festival. The Putrajaya LIFT Festival will be segmented into three major components — ‘The Showcase’, ‘The Fringe’ and ‘The Market’ — for festival-goers to enjoy,” said Sidek.