Padang City concludes Siti Nurbaya Festival-Cap Go Meh joint celebration

Thousands of people came to the site below the Siti Nurbaya Bridge at the Old Town area of Padang City, West Sumatra to witness the peak and closing of Siti Nurbaya Festival 2025, which is held in conjunction with a parade for Cap Go Meh 2025, on Feb. 9, 2025.

This celebration presents the diversity of cultures from various ethnic groups living in Padang City.

Acting Padang Mayor  Andree Harmadi Algamar officially opened the parade from in front of the Himpunan Tjinta Teman (HTT) Temple, followed by a procession of dozens of children carrying a dragon puppet for the occasion. The procession is a symbol of prayer for the safety and blessings of the next generation.

The excitement was even more pronounced with lion and dragon dances, as well as artistic performances by various ethnic groups in Padang City. They include traditional dances, regional music, and a marching band from the Gita Abdi Praja IPDN drum corps adding to the lively atmosphere.

Andree emphasized that the Cap Go Meh parade is not just a celebration, but also a real manifestation of cultural harmony in Padang City.

"Today we witness how cultures become a bridge that unites people from various backgrounds. The Cap Go Meh parade does not only belong to one ethnic group, but is also part of the cultural wealth of Padang City [and its denizens] that lives and develops together," he said.

Andree added that the diversity seen in the parade proves that Padang City is home to many cultures that live side by side in the spirit of unity.

"Lion and dragon dances as well as arts and culture from other ethnic groups are all present on one harmonious stage. This is what makes Padang City unique and special," he said.

Andree noted that the combined Siti Nurbaya Festival and Cap Go Meh celebration proves that Padang City is not only rich in history, but also has cultural strength that could be a tourist attraction.

"We want to make this festival an annual and even grander agenda. By highlighting history, literature, and culture, we are not only preserving heritage but also opening up economic opportunities for the people," he explained.

Culture Ministry's Development, Utilization, and Fostering of Culture Directorate-General Facilities and Infrastructure Director Feri Arlius also directly participated in the parade with the Andree.

"We see how togetherness is woven in this celebration. This is proof that culture is not just a heritage, but also a social bond that strengthens unity," said Feri.

He hopes that the spirit of cultural collaboration as seen in Padang City can be an inspiration for other regions in maintaining diversity.

The 2025 Siti Nurbaya Festival also had UMKM bazaars, cultural exhibitions, visual mapping, literacy discussions, and public entertainment.

The closing ceremony was also attended by the Acting Padang City Family Welfare Movement Coordination Team Head Vanny Andree Algamar, Acting Dharma Wanita Persatuan Padang City Chair Netti Yosefriawan, as well as some state-owned enterprise (SOE) and region-owned enterprise leaders along with related regional apparatus organizations.