{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1820772,
        "msgid": "2026-biak-festival-to-boost-ri-cultural-diplomacy-1782280211",
        "date": "2026-06-24 11:36:52",
        "title": "2026 Biak Festival to boost RI cultural diplomacy",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The 2026 Biak Cultural Festival in Papua is being expanded into a major international event aimed at strengthening Indonesia's cultural diplomacy across the Pacific region. Scheduled for October 17\u201321 to coincide with National Culture Day, the festival will bring together participants from Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, and several Pacific nations to foster cooperation based on shared Melanesian heritage. Local authorities expect the event to drive tourism, creative economy growth, and broader economic benefits while reinforcing Biak's position as a cultural hub in Eastern Indonesia.",
        "content": "<p>Head of the Biak Numfor Tourism Office, Turbey Onesimus Dangeubun,\nsaid in Manokwari, West Papua, on Wednesday that the festival has\nevolved beyond a regional cultural event into a meeting point for\nIndonesian and Pacific communities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe festival, scheduled to take place on October 17-21, 2026, will\nbe organized on a larger scale by involving participants from various\nregions across Indonesia and several Pacific countries,\u201d he said on the\nsidelines of the 14th National Church Choir Festival (Pesparawi).<\/p>\n<p>According to Onesimus, the participation of cultural communities from\nPapua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, and Pacific countries is part of efforts\nto strengthen cooperation networks based on shared history, culture, and\nMelanesian identity.<\/p>\n<p>He said cultural diplomacy plays a strategic role not only in\nfostering closer people-to-people relations but also in creating\nopportunities for cooperation in various sectors, including social\naffairs, the creative economy, tourism, education, and regional\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are many benefits that can be gained through cultural\ndiplomacy,\u201d Onesimus said.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that the 2026 Biak Cultural Festival will coincide with\nIndonesia\u2019s National Culture Day on October 17, providing momentum to\nstrengthen Biak\u2019s position as one of the centers of cultural and tourism\ndevelopment in Eastern Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThrough this festival, we want to strengthen brotherly relations\namong nations while reinforcing Indonesia\u2019s cultural diplomacy in the\nPacific region,\u201d Onesimus said.<\/p>\n<p>The local government is seeking to develop the Biak Cultural Festival\ninto an annual international event that supports cultural preservation,\nboosts tourism, and stimulates local economic activity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are working to ensure that the festival is not merely a regional\nevent but becomes a national-level event that generates broad economic\nbenefits,\u201d Onesimus said.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Biak cultural festival 2025 aims to attract\ninternational tourists<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Jayapura Hospital eyes role as Western Pacific\nhealthcare hub<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Bayu Prasetyo<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/2026-biak-festival-to-boost-ri-cultural-diplomacy-1782280211",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}