"A creative trip adds value because it encourages people to come, learn about, understand, and ultimately appreciate a destination," Irene said in a statement received on Thursday.
She said the concept could be applied to festivals highlighting local culture by involving local communities in promoting regional heritage, showcasing local potential, and accelerating the growth of the creative economy.
In this regard, Irene praised an initiative by Tidore students studying in Yogyakarta, who are organizing the Toadore Festival Vol. III as a platform to introduce the creative potential of their hometown.
Carrying the theme "Tidore Greets Yogyakarta: From the Spice Islands to the City of Culture," the festival is scheduled to take place from Oct. 15 to 17, 2026, at the Amphitheater Teras Beskalan, Teras Malioboro 1, in Yogyakarta.
The program will feature a National Creative Economy Seminar (Kalesang Kota), the Nusantara Arts Stage, the Creative Gossip Talk Show, and the Nusantara MSME Market, providing a platform for interaction and market expansion for regional creative products, including culinary, craft, and fashion industries.
Fando, chair of the festival's Creative Program Steering Committee, said the event has been held annually since 2023.
He explained that Yogyakarta was chosen as the venue because of its role as a cultural hub where people from across Indonesia come together.
"The festival's name comes from the old Tidore language, Tuadore, which means 'I have arrived.' Through the theme Tidore Greets Yogyakarta: From the Spice Islands to the City of Culture, we aim to present Tidore's culture as part of Indonesia's rich diversity while introducing it to a broader audience," Fando said.
The festival is expected not only to promote Tidore's cultural heritage but also to create broader market opportunities for regional creative economy players.
Through the creative trip concept, the government hopes to position culture-based festivals as drivers of local economic activity by increasing tourist arrivals, expanding market access for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and creating greater value for local communities.
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Translator: Fitra, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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