RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - The Fulan Fehan Festival in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has returned after a hiatus since 2019. The Indonesian government believes the cultural event has the potential to become an international tourist attraction while showcasing Belu’s natural beauty.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said the festival serves as an effective platform to promote the cultural richness and natural scenery of Belu, which shares a direct border with Timor-Leste. He added that the event also strengthens the region’s tourism sector through cross-border cultural collaboration.

“This festival certainly showcases the magnificence of the dance art itself, as well as the natural beauty of Belu Regency,” Minister Tito said in his remarks at the Fulan Fehan Festival on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Minister Tito noted that the festival, once again organized by the Belu Regency Administration, can attract more tourists to enjoy artistic performances and the beauty of the valleys and green hills. He emphasized that the event also helps preserve cultural heritage passed down through generations.

The festival featured dancers from Timor-Leste, reflecting the close cultural ties between communities in both regions. Thousands of performers presented the traditional Likurai and Bidu Kikit dances, traditional rituals, and a woven-textile fashion show against the panoramic backdrop of the Lakaan Mountain Valley.

Minister Tito encouraged the festival to be held on an even grander scale and at an international level next year. “The Fulan Fehan Festival has the potential to go international,” he said.

He also commended NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena and the Regent of Belu for reviving the festival. According to him, hosting the Fulan Fehan Festival is a positive step toward preserving culture while strengthening Belu’s position as a premier tourist destination in Indonesia’s border region. ***