RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC), first held in 2001, has grown into one of Indonesia’s most prominent cultural and creative tourism events. Staged annually in Jember, East Java, the carnival transforms the city’s streets into a global runway, attracting millions of visitors and international attention.

The 2026 Grand Carnival took place on Sunday, July 26, in front of the Jember Regency Administration Office.

Over more than two decades, JFC has evolved from a local initiative into a world‑class spectacle. Its elaborate costumes and performances have been featured internationally, including at Times Square in New York, the Singapore Chingay Parade, the Nice Carnival in France, the Gala Dinner for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, and the ASEAN Summit.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said JFC is more than a fashion show; it is an instrument of Indonesia’s soft power diplomacy.

“Today we are not only here to watch a carnival, but also to celebrate the grand idea that creativity is a force capable of building identity, driving the economy, and introducing Indonesia to the world,” she said in her opening remarks, as quoted by Antara.

Minister Widiyanti commended the Jember Regency Administration, the JFC Foundation, and all parties who have sustained the carnival for over two decades. She noted that its success proves world‑class works do not have to originate from major cities.

“It all began with the vision of the late Dynand Fariz, who saw that the streets of Jember could become a global stage and that Indonesian culture could be introduced to the world through a language everyone understands: creativity,” she said.

JFC has consistently been part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program and has made the KEN Top 10 four times. Its costumes, which incorporate local wisdom, cultural heritage, and national identity, have also contributed to Indonesia winning Best National Costume awards at international beauty pageants such as Miss Universe and Miss Supranational.

At the 2025 event, JFC attracted more than one million visitors over three days, including tourists from Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Minister Widiyanti said the carnival continues to foster creative innovations that benefit artists, MSMEs, and the community, while enhancing Indonesia’s image abroad.

“The success of JFC is not only measured by the grandeur of its performances, but also by the economic and cultural impact felt by the community. This is the essence of quality tourism -- creating opportunities, generating economic benefits, and providing space for artists and local businesses to grow together,” she said. ***