Participating Countries - Ministry of Defence

Issue 1 | 29 Jamadilawal 1432H | 3 rd May 2011M
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A Memorable Experience
For BIT 2011 Participants
By Redzwan Kamarudin
BIT 2011 will promise not only a magical night for spectators but also
an unforgettable experience for our fellow guests from participating
countries as well. As such a Cultural Preview was held on the afternoon
of 21 April 2011 at Royal Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Park Country Club
(JPCC) Polo Club. The preview was conducted to give BIT 2011 Organizing
Committee an opportunity to select the best cultural performances for
the Reception, which will be conducted on 27 April 2011.
BIT 2011 Chairman, Colonel (U) Hj Jofri bin Hj Abdullah said “The purpose
of this reception is not only to give them an opportunity to mingle
and network with each other, but we also wanted to show the colorful
culture of Brunei Darussalam and make their stay here a memorable
one.”
The Cultural Preview organized, left those present transfixed with
beautiful and breathtaking performances by the Ministry of Culture,
Youth and Sports dancers aptly known as ‘Lively Dancers’. Led by Md
Khairul Azmi the 40 dancers performed a number of dances namely
ASEAN Dance, International Dance and the famous Joget to name a few.
Also seen at the Preview was the Acting Director of the Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sports, Hjh Fatimah binti Pehin Penyurat Hj Mohd
Salleh and officials from BIT 2011 Organizing and Marketing Committee.
The event finally concluded with a food testing session of various local
and international delicacies by those present.
RBAF Commander’s
Performance Preview
By Khairunnisa Ibrahim
WITH not long to go until the Brunei
Darussalam International Tattoo 2011
(BIT 2011) kicks off, the local contingent
has been practising relentlessly to perfect
their routines, which has to receive
the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF)
Commander’s stamp of approval.
The aim of the RBAF Commander’s
Performance Preview session, which was
held on 9 April 2011 for Major General Dato
Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin
Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka
Hj Abidin, was to showcase the music
and choreography that will be performed
during the three-day international tattoo.
It was the first preview organised, with
several more to follow in the days leading
up to May 31.
The event featured performances
from three segments of the BIT 2011,
namely the grand opening, the 8-minute
individual country performance and the
grand finale. The performances were
more varied and dynamic compared to
the original production, as some routines
were changed or added on to, based on
the RBAF Commander’s feedback after
the musical preview in early April.
One of the changes included the use of
more international songs during the grand
opening and closing acts. This is done for
the convenience of tattoo participants
from other countries that might not
be familiar with local Malay songs. In
addition, more choreography routines, in
the form of dances, skits and martial art
demonstrations, have been added to the
roster of performances to add colour and
vibrancy to the performances.
According to the BIT 2011 Producer Lt Col
Hj Salleh bin Hj Suhaili, the next RBAF
Commander’s Performance Preview will
feature more improvements. “There
are bound to be changes, as we have to
be flexible and incorporate changes to
become better,” he said in an interview.
Issue 1 | 29 Jamadilawal 1432H | 3 rd May 2011M
Lt Col Hj Salleh also said that the RBAF
performers have been undergoing intense
rehearsals every day, for up to 10 hours
each day, to ensure that they will deliver
flawless performances during the threeday
tattoo.
Roughly about 150 people are involved in
the RBAF performance including dancers
from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and
Sports. The combined performances from
The Royal Brunei Police Force, the Fire
and Rescue Department and the Prisons
Department will also be featured on a
separate 8-minute slot during this BIT
2011.
Also present during the RBAF
Commander’s Performance Preview was
the Chairman of BIT 2011, Col (U) Hj Jofri
bin Hj Abdullah, Services Commanders,
Directors and other members of the
organising committee.
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