Batam City welcomes Ramadan with BWR 2025

The Batam City Culture and Tourism Office welcomes Ramadan by once again presenting the annual Batam Wonder Food and Art Ramadan (BWR) creative economy bazaar. Held at the Batam Dang Anom Park, BWR is both a center for typical Ramadan culinary delights and an effort to encourage the creative economy sector in Batam City, Riau Islands Province.

"We encourage the creative economy and tourism sectors in Batam with BWR," said Batam City Culture and Tourism Office Head Ardiwinata in Batam City, Riau Islands on Mar. 1, 2025.

"This bazaar is not only a place to hunt for takjil (snacks to break Ramadan fasts), we also facilitate various religious and cultural activities. Every year there are tahfiz and azan competitions [at BWR], as well as various other events that take place daily, especially before breaking the fast," he explained.

Ardiwinata said that BWR 2025 will last until until Mar. 23, 2025, or about seven days before Idul Fitri, because by that time people in Indonesia usually starts to focus on preparing for homecoming and celebrating the religious holiday.

"It is different from other bazaars because we can break the fast together here. There is a stage that can be used by the local community, as an example for breaking the fast together with children from an orphanage. If there are organizations or associations that are interested, we will provide a place," he elaborated.

In addition, there are dining facilities with tables and chairs as well as a prayer room and ablution area so that the local community can do salat prayers comfortably.

"Usually the activity starts at 16.00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time), while on weekends it can be earlier at around 15.00 WIB depending on weather conditions," he added.

The Batam Tourism and Culture Office hopes that BWR 2025 could provide space for culinary MSMEs and local artists to contribute to enlivening Ramadan while strengthening the creative economy sector of Batam City.