Pontianak Pushes Annual Cultural Festival to Preserve 28 Ethnic

RRI.CO.ID, Pontianak - Embracing the cultural heritage of at least 28 ethnic groups coexisting in harmony, the Pontianak City Administration in West Kalimantan is encouraging the Regional Arts Performance (PKD) to transform into an annual festival. The event is being prepared as an inclusive stage to strengthen diversity and nurture social harmony among residents of the Equator City through the arts.

"This is a momentum for us to provide support, motivation, and encouragement to the nation's children in Pontianak City to continue creating works and keeping regional arts alive," said Pontianak Deputy Mayor, Bahasan, in Pontianak on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Bahasan said the activity serves as a space for artists to sustain regional arts and prevent them from disappearing. Additionally, the event offers participants an opportunity to showcase the results of their training and creativity to the public.

"This is a momentum to provide a performance space so they can continue to create and show that they have potential and have been training with great enthusiasm," he said, as quoted by Antara.

According to him, the festival could be developed to coincide with Pontianak City's Anniversary, given the enthusiasm from participants and the community.

"We know that Pontianak City consists of various ethnic groups, there are approximately 28 ethnicities, which may have arts and culture that continue to be developed and preserved by several art studios in Pontianak City," he said.

Bahasan emphasized that the Pontianak City Administration remains committed to supporting the development of arts and culture. This commitment is realized through the allocation of the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD), despite the relatively limited regional budget available.

"In essence, the Pontianak City Administration must be present and provide support, and this is the proof today," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Head of the Pontianak City Education and Culture Agency, Hermawan Eko, said PKD is a form of administration facilitation for art studios and schools that have been striving to preserve regional culture.

"This is a manifestation of our intention to facilitate studios and schools that have made efforts to preserve regional cultures in Pontianak City," he said.

Hermawan noted that PKD participants consist of 12 public and private junior high schools and nine art studios that have been guided and facilitated by the Pontianak City Education and Culture Agency.

He added that a series of cultural activities will also be held again during Pontianak City's Anniversary on the 23rd through the Kedai Melayu and Pontianak Malay Festival agendas, which involve the community.

"This is a fairly large festival that involves the community. This means that community members are welcome to perform and participate in competitions. As facilitators for the community, we invite everyone to participate in these activities," he said. ***