RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has been officially selected to host the 29th Asia Pacific New Year Celebration in 2027, marking a milestone for the country’s cultural diplomacy and diaspora engagement in the United States.

The announcement came at the close of the 2026 festival, held on February 28, at the iconic Tacoma Dome in Washington State, which drew more than 15,000 visitors, mostly Americans, Antara reported.

The Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco welcomed the appointment, calling it a significant step in strengthening the role of Indonesia’s diaspora and cultural diplomacy in the western United States.

The Asia Pacific Cultural Center, which organizes the annual event, emphasized that the celebration continues to foster friendship, unity, and cross-cultural understanding among Asia-Pacific communities.

This year’s celebration, hosted by Cambodia, brought together participants from 47 Asia-Pacific countries. Indonesia once again stood out as a cultural highlight, thanks to the collaboration between the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco, the Indonesian Cultural Association (ICA) Tacoma, and the Seattle–Surabaya Sister City Association (SSSCA).

Indonesia’s presence featured traditional dance performances, culinary delights, and tourism promotion. Visitors sampled wedang bajigur from West Java while enjoying Indang and Baralek Gadang dances from West Sumatra, alongside Bajidor Kahot from West Java.

At the tourism booth, the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco partnered with Singapore Airlines and Majestic Vacations to showcase five priority destinations: Borobudur, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang.

“Culture is not something we only preserve in museums; it is meant to be shared through music, movement, flavors, stories, and direct encounters as neighbors, friends, and communities,” Indonesian Consul General Yohpy Ichsan Wardana said, adding that in a world increasingly divided, such events are vital for building understanding and trust while celebrating diversity as a strength.

The festival also featured a raffle for round-trip tickets between Seattle and Indonesia, won by a young mother and former expatriate fluent in Indonesian. ***