Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, is selected to host the 9th Eastern Indonesia Forum Festival scheduled to take place on July 26-27, 2023.

"Kupang City is very ready to host the East Indonesia Forum IX Festival that will be attended by one thousand participants from Indonesia's 12 eastern provinces," Acting Mayor of Kupang George Melkianus Hadjoh remarked here on Wednesday.

Hadjoh said representatives from the Indonesian Eastern Region Knowledge Exchange (BaKTI) Foundation and officials from the province's regional research development and planning agency had met with the Kupang City Government to discuss preparations for the forum.

According to the acting mayor, more national-scale activities being conducted in Kupang City translated to greater boost to drive growth in the local economy.

Hadjoh believes that the forum will offer the necessary momentum for Kupang to advance cultural arts in order to encourage growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

"The Kupang city administration will also activate the calendar of events in every village for them to participate in this forum and to foster the locals' love for art, culture, and sports as well as attract tourists from outside the region," Hadjoh explained.

Furthermore, he urged Kupang City's Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda) to establish coordination and communication with the BaKTI foundation that serves as the forum's secretariat to discuss any preparations for making the event a success.

The city administration said it will partner with cultural and tribal centers from 12 eastern provinces to enliven the culture night event planned for the festival.

"All associations from 12 eastern Indonesia provinces that are based in Kupang City are invited to perform at the opening night of the festival, such as cultural arts performances originating from their respective regions," Hadjoh stated.

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Translator: Benediktus J, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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