KBRN, Sumenep: The first and largest cultural costume carnival on Madura Island, the Madura Ethnic Carnival (MEC) 2025, was successfully held on Saturday night, September 20, 2025, in Sumenep Regency, East Java.

The event, initiated by the Sumenep Journalists Community (KJS), impressed thousands of visitors and is now targeting national recognition by aiming to be included in the prestigious Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN).

KJS Chairman, M. Hariri, expressed high optimism about MEC's potential to join the ranks of KEN. He said that the consistent quality of the carnival each year is its main asset for competing at the national level.

"We packaged the entire concept of the Madura Ethnic Carnival as well as possible. This is our effort to ensure that MEC's quality is maintained from year to year," said Hariri on Monday, September 22, 2025.

He added that the Madura Ethnic Carnival is not only a platform for cultural expression but has also become a strategic space for costume designers, artists, and creative economy players.

"Our main goal is to promote Madurese culture and drive the community's creative economy. In practice, MEC has become a locomotive capable of moving both the cultural and economic sectors simultaneously," he explained.

Hariri expressed hope that national recognition for MEC will further strengthen Madura's position on Indonesia's cultural and tourism map. This would also encourage the local administration to continue supporting similar events in a sustainable manner.

Karisma Event Nusantara is a collaborative program between the central and regional governments designed to promote leading events that boost tourism and the growth of the creative economy across various regions in Indonesia. ***

Translator: Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala

Editor: Bambang MBKA