The festival is set for October 18–20, 2025, and will feature cultural performances, food, music, and crafts. It will also include guests from other countries, including neighboring Papua New Guinea, said Onny T. Dangeubun, head of the Biak Numfor Tourism Office, on Thursday.
Key attractions will include traditional dances like the Wor and Yospan, and the dramatic "apen beyeren" hot-stone walking ritual. The event will also host exhibitions by small businesses (MSMEs), traditional cooking demonstrations, and live music.
“This year’s theme is ‘Loving Culture to Shape Character,’ to show the importance of culture in shaping identity,” Dangeubun said.
Local artists, students, cultural experts, and creative economy workers will participate. Organizers say the festival is not only about celebration, but also about preparing for something bigger — an international cultural festival planned for 2026.
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“We’ve already invited countries from the Pacific and even Seychelles in East Africa to take part in next year’s event. They’ve shown interest in supporting us,” Dangeubun said.
Earlier this year, Biak hosted the Biak Munara Wampasi Festival, which gained national attention as part of Indonesia’s Kharisma Event Nusantara tourism program. That event helped promote local traditions and supported small businesses.
Now, the 2025 Biak Cultural Festival is expected to do the same — boost tourism, support local artists and entrepreneurs, and raise Biak’s profile as a cultural destination.
With more international participation and growing support, officials believe the festival could help strengthen cross-cultural ties and support the region’s creative economy.
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Translator: Muhsidin, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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