RRI.CO.ID, Selatpanjang - Thousands of residents and visitors filled Jalan Ahmad Yani in Selatpanjang, Riau, as the 2026 Water War Festival concluded on Saturday, February 21, 2026, after a week of vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations.

Each day, people rode becaks, traditional three-wheeled pedicabs, around the city or lined the streets, splashing water and tossing water-filled balloons at one another in a joyful display of unity.

Laughter echoed across the town center as participants from different backgrounds joined the festivities without barriers, transforming the streets into a lively arena of camaraderie.

Rooted in local Lunar New Year traditions, the festival began decades ago when residents returning home from overseas visited relatives by becak, often accompanied by children.

During those visits, children playfully splashed water at passing groups. What started as spontaneous fun gradually evolved into a collective celebration that strengthened social bonds within the community.

Over time, the Water War Festival has grown into a symbol of cultural acculturation between Chinese and Malay communities in the Meranti Islands. Once a simple neighborhood tradition, it now stands as a nationally recognized annual tourism attraction reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.

This year’s Lunar New Year celebrations and festival recorded 20,475 inbound passengers to the Meranti Islands regency, a 1.79 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The surge boosted hotel occupancy, stimulated sea transportation services, and increased activity in the culinary sector. Local micro, small, and medium enterprises also reported higher transaction volumes, particularly for regional specialties such as sago and its processed products.

The festival’s profile rose further after it secured a place in the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), the Tourism Ministry’s flagship national program that curates and promotes high-quality regional events to drive tourism and strengthen local economies.

Acting Deputy for Event Development at the ministry, Vinsensius Jemadu, said the Water War Festival earned its spot after a rigorous selection process involving more than 500 events from 38 provinces.

An independent professional team assessed submissions based on concept originality, event management, financial governance, marketing strategy, and economic, social, cultural, and environmental impact.

“The inclusion of the Water War Festival in the 125 Karisma Event Nusantara events is a shared achievement of the Meranti Islands community. It proves that local traditions can rise to the national stage,” Vinsensius said in a statement on Friday, February 27, 2026, as quoted on the ministry's official website.

He added that the next challenge is to maintain high organizational standards and ensure that the festival’s economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits continue to reach the community in a sustainable way.

As part of the KEN 2026 program, the festival not only showcases a unique cultural attraction but also reinforces Meranti’s image as a safe, orderly, and inclusive region rich in tradition. Located along the strategic Malacca Strait border area, the regency leverages its cultural strength to position itself as a distinctive tourism destination.

Through close collaboration between the government and local residents, the Water War Festival demonstrates how Indonesia’s living traditions can drive regional tourism growth while reinforcing national identity in border areas. ***