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FBLB 2024 Gets Special Attention from Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry
WINDONESIA August 9, 2024
Expert Staff to the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Fajar Utomo, Highland Papua Acting Governor Velix Vernando Wanggai, and Jayawijaya Thony Acting Regent Thony M. Mayor releasing arrows to mark the opening of FBLB 2024 in Wosiala Village, Wosilimo
The 32nd Baliem Valley Cultural Festival (FBLB) in 2024 is one of the events receiving special attention of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry/Agency (Baparekraf) because it is included in the Top 10 of 110 cultural events throughout Indonesia listed in Karisma Event Nusantara. It is hoped that the event will continue to be improved without diminishing local cultural values.
Expert Staff to the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Fajar Utomo stated that FBLB is a high-quality arts and culture performance that must be carried out sustainably because the event is among the Top 10 of KEN. Therefore, representing the central government, he congratulated the Highland Papua Province and especially the Jayawijaya Regency Government.
"For KEN itself, there were 400 events which are registered but only 110 were selected, and FBLB became part of the top 10. So, it should be celebrated by all peoples of Highland Papua," he said at the FBLB 2024's opening at the Battle Performance Field in Wosiala Village, Wosilimo District, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua on Aug. 7, 2024.
Fajar explained there are three events in Highland Papua that are included in KEN. The first is the Noken Street Fashion Festival, the second is FBLB, and the third is the 12 Tribes Festival in Yahukimo Regency that will be open on August 12-15, 2024. Their inclusion cannot be separated from the uniqueness, concept, and quality of the annual events' enactment.
"The 2024 FBLB's theme, 'The Pearl of Great Baliem', is of course inspired by the uniqueness, beauty, and cultural strength of the tribes that have lived from generation to generation in the great Baliem Valley," explained Fajar Utomo.
At the same occasion, Highland Papua Acting Governor Velix Vernando Wanggai acknowledged that the government and society at large feels grateful of the traditions that their ancestors have developed which provided a long-running foundation for culture and civilization. Hence, FBLB 2024 could be carried based on that rich culture.
"In light of social life and the problems that exist within it, the Jayawijaya Regency government is building traditions that started from such culture today. It is alike warfare in social life but done in a constructive manner, turning this tradition into an event and attraction," he explained.
The Highland Papua Provincial Government also gave their thanks to the central government through the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry/Baparekraf for encouraging and recognizing that FBLB as part of the Top 10 of KEN. Therefore, people should be proud that the new province already has three events listed in KEN.
"These are [already] the three big agendas in the Jayawijaya and Yahukimo regencies which are in line with the Highland Papua Province's agendas, even as a province which has only existed for 2 years, because we have designated this province as a festival province in Indonesia," Velix said.
"Firstly, we have to develop various attractions and events in Highland Papua. Secondly, build facilities and infrastructure at our tourist attractions. Finally, it is the task of the Provincial Government and the Central Government to build points of access by land, air, and rivers to reach the tourism attractions," he added.
Meanwhile, the Jayawijaya Acting Regent Thony M. Mayor stated that, first of all, the government and the people of Jayawijaya would like to welcome Baparekraf leadership and their entourage to the great valley in the region. He also expressed his gratitude for the visits by those who were visiting the Baliem Valley for the first time.
"There is a lot of information and news about the situation and conditions in Jayawijaya Regency. But, for the ladies and gentlemen who can be present with us here directly, we Jayawijaya people are a cultured society. We also give our appreciation to the guests who come to our place with our apparent modest conditions," he said
Thony also admitted that Jayawijaya Regency has potential in tourism, but still needs encouragement and attention from the central government to be able to develop its peoples so that they have the relevant knowledge and organize themselves in the future to create and display the realized potential of Jayawijaya's tourism.
Source: cenderawasihpos.jawapos.com
