Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has said that the 2022 Aceh Percussion Festival helps boost tourism promotion of Indonesia's western most province.

"This event is the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry's effort to improve the quality of organizing activities, boost tourism promotion, and empower creative tourism," Sandiaga Uno said in his virtual speech during the opening of 2022 Aceh Percussion Festival held at Bustanussalatin Park, here, Saturday night.

The Aceh Percussion themed "Jewels in the Serambi Land" is successfully included in one of the Nusantara Charisma Events (KEN) 2022 of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

"We appreciate the Aceh Government, especially the Aceh Culture and Tourism Office and all parties who have participated in supporting the implementation of the 2022 Aceh Percussion activity in Banda Aceh," he said.

The ministry has been fully supporting for the development of tourism in Aceh to make it more competitive tourist destination by applying the concept of sustainable development and sustainable culture.

"I hope this activity can motivate and encourage tourism and creative industry players and SMEs to remain optimistic and continue to innovate for Indonesia's economic recovery," he said.

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Acting Governor of Aceh Achmad Marzuki said Aceh's traditional musical instrument called Rapai, is a candidate for a creative economy star based on culture and local wisdom.

"Rapai is an opportunity to empower the creative industry and increase economic growth because it has started to be exported abroad," he said in a written speech read out by Iskandar Syukri, expert staff of the Governor of Aceh.

This year's Aceh Percussion Festival is also participated in by percussion groups from Singapore, Japan and Thailand, Head of the Aceh Culture and Tourism Office Almuniza Kamal said

"The group from Singapore has performed at a percussion camp in Leupung, while percussion groups from Japan and Thailand will perform virtually," he said.

Domestic percussion groups participating in the festival include those from Riau Islands Province, Bandung and Depok (West Java Province), and Jakarta.

Besides, local percussion groups from North Aceh, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, West Aceh, and Gayo Lues will also perform at the Bustanussalatin Park during the Aceh Percussion Festival .

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Translator: M Ifdhal, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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