VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Lake Sentarum Festival, which will be held in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, from November 22 to 26, 2022, has been promoted in 16 countries and international universities to draw culture and nature enthusiasts.

The festival has been promoted in the countries by the tourism marketing deputy, head of tourism at the Kapuas Hulu Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, Hulu Ismunadi, told ANTARA here on Monday.

The 16 countries comprise Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Russia, the United States, Croatia, and Brunei Darussalam.

Ismunadi said he expects the promotion to draw international tourists to the Lake Sentarum Festival, an annual event in Kapuas Hulu, which aims to promote its tourism potential and culture.

This year’s festival will showcase Kapuas Hulu's local culture through a cultural carnival, honey kratom drink parade, Kapuas Hulu bidar boat race, and tourism ambassador competition, he informed.

A regional dance creation competition, lake honey harvest, spinning top traditional competition, chopstick competition, cycling in the heart of Borneo, and a motocross race will also be organized.

The festival will also feature people's entertainment, Lake Sentarum exploration, a sape music ethnic concert, performances by capital city and regional artists, as well as a showcase of tribal rituals on Melayu Island.

"In addition to Lake Sentarum's natural (scenic) view, the local culture has its own appeal in the eyes of tourists, thus we need to continue to preserve it," Ismunadi remarked.

He said he expects support from all parties, including residents living near the lake, to make the festival a success.

"We expect many tourists to come to drive people's economic growth, which necessitates support and synergy from all parties," he remarked.

Lake Sentarum is located in a national park area bordering Malaysia in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan.  (Antaranews)