APD | Indonesia’s Bangka Island to hold international cross-cultural festival

By APD writer Aditya Nugraha

JAKARTA, March 30 (APD) – An international cross-cultural festival was scheduled to be held in Indonesia’s Bangla Island from April 2 to 7, attended by cultural delegations from Hungary, Spain, Finland, Slovakia and the United States.

The festival, Bangka Culture Wave (BCW), would showcase cultural attractions of each participating nations and collaboration of foreign and domestic delegations, aimed at respecting their respective cultural values.

“BCW provides an event for delegations of several countries to blend together in cross-cultural attractions. This concept makes BCW an inspiring event,” Indonesian Tourism Minister Aide for Multicultural Affairs Esthy Reko Astuti said recently.

The week-long event would be held in Tonaci, the Bangka Island city of Sungailiat’s beach.

The annual event this year would also feature Chinese Lion Dance competitions, contending 21 local teams, she said. It is listed as part of tourism ministry’s 2019 Calendar of Events.

The competition is to accommodate the Chinese cultural attraction that has been embraced by locals in Bangka Island for generations, becoming part of Bangka traditions, she added.

Bangka tourism office expected some 5,000 foreign visitors to attend the BCW this year, adding the 50,000 locals predicted to cater to the event. The figures were higher than 1,500 and 30,000 foreign and domestic visitors attended the BCW last year.

BCW has turned into a valuable cultural conservancy event for international communities after it was held since 2015, Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said.

 “Traditional attractions from several countries can be performed here. This event would transfer knowledge on cultures from other countries to the next generations,” the minister said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)