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A Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) award was given by the Tourism Ministry for the Topat War Festival on Dec. 15, 2024. The event, which has been included in ministry's KEN list for two years, was judged to have successfully preserved local ancestral cultural traditions.
Tourism Ministry Regional Events Director Reza Fahlevi, who directly presented the charter, assessed that the Topat War Festival has uniqueness and advantages that can attract tourists to come.
"Today, we have seen [the event was organized] very well, and many tourists have come. Of course, the hope is that it can have positive impacts by preserving traditional values and improving the surrounding community's economic conditions," explained Reza.
The religious tolerance festival is expected to continue to develop in the future. The Topat War Festival is projected be included in the KEN calendar again and continue to attract tourists to both West Lombok Regency and the West Nusa Tenggara Province.
"The promotion can be done more widely and well in advance. The Tourism Ministry will continue to support the organizing for the Topat War Festival," Reza said.
When asked about the criteria for an event to enter KEN, he explained that there are several assessment criteria that must be passed. Starting from the concept, management, and even from the environmental management side.
"So the assessment is carried out by provisional curators. We choose around 110 events every year, and for 2025 Insha Allah we will announce it again by January," Reza concluded.
Meanwhile, the organizing of Topat War Festival 2024 featured several new elements. Starting from traditional dance performances, pujawali processions, to historical musical plays of the Topat War done by West Lombok Regency local performers.
"The quality of the event is [supported] by the fact not just any event could be included in KEN. We have received [KEN inclusion for] the second year after a very detailed assessment by the Tourism Ministry," explained West Lombok Regency Tour Tourism Office Head Agus Gunawan.
Agus added that the West Lombok Regency Government, the Lingsar Village Government, religious and youth leaders, as well as the entire local community continue to perfect the Topat War Festival. He noted that the shortcomings in organizing the event several years ago was used for the event's improvement and addition of new elements.
"Hence, this year's [Topat War Festival] has better quality in terms of appearance and organizing. We provide opportunities for our MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), and empower several local art studios by involving them for [the festival's] attractions," he concluded.
The West Lombok Regency Government also worked with the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Museum for the ancestral heirlooms exhibition. Agus hopes that the collaboration will be a step towards the founding of a museum in West Lombok Regency.
"We also hope that the Topat War Festival can return to KEN next year," he concluded.
Previously, Acting West Lombok Regent H. Ilham stated that the Topat War Festival is a local heritage that has a very high cultural value. He explained that the occasion teaches people to uphold tolerance and harmony between religious communities.
"The Topat War is a noble cultural heritage. We inherited the values of tolerance and harmony that will strengthen unity and oneness [through the occasion]," he said.
The Topat War is a form of gratitude between the Muslim and Hindu communities for the various gifts they have received from the other. Since its intangible cultural heritage must continue to be preserved, Ilham hopes for the Tourism Ministry's support so that the event could continue to be included in KEN.
Meanwhile, Acting West Nusa Tenggara Governor Hassanudin assessed that the Topat War Festival is an implementation of Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), Indonesia's official national motto, in West Nusa Tenggara. He hopes that the festival could continue to be supported by the Indonesian government.
"This activity has the noble value and meaning of strengthening tolerance and togetherness," he said.
