JFC 2026 Affirms Jember as the World's Carnival City
The Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) 2026, themed ‘HEAL: Humanity, Earth and Life’, was successfully held in Jember Regency. Jember Regent Muhammad Fawait stated that JFC is a flagship annual event for the regency aimed at promoting regional tourism, driving the creative economy, and providing a platform for youth creativity on both national and international stages. He noted that the event has evolved into a national icon with international recognition, asserting that while Brazil has the world’s largest carnival, Indonesia can be proud of having one of the world’s greatest carnivals born in Jember.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang Wibawarta, remarked that JFC is proof that culture managed with vision, creativity, and perseverance can elevate a region to become an inspiration for Indonesian tourism and attract global attention. He emphasised that Jember Fashion Carnival is not merely a fashion show but a stage of civilisation where tradition meets innovation, and cultural heritage is transformed into a universal language that unites humanity beyond borders, language, and background.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that JFC is a celebration of the grand idea that creativity is a force capable of building identity, driving the economy, and introducing Indonesia to the world. She explained that JFC has consistently been part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) programme and has ranked in the top 10 KEN events four times. She recalled that in 2017, the President of Indonesia designated Jember as the ‘Carnival City’. The Minister highlighted that JFC has brought Indonesia’s image to international stages, including Times Square, the Singapore Chingay Parade, the Nice Carnival in France, the G20 Indonesia Presidency Gala Dinner, and the ASEAN Summit. She added that JFC has also helped Indonesia win Best National Costume awards at international beauty pageants like Miss Universe and Miss Supranational, with costumes inspired by Indonesian tourist destinations. She concluded that when the international community becomes more familiar with Indonesia’s cultural richness through such works, the desire to visit and experience the country grows, demonstrating the power of Indonesia’s soft power. She expressed high appreciation to the Jember Regency Government for maintaining the spirit of JFC for over two decades, proving that great works do not always originate from big cities.