Papuan Food Festival Officially Opens in Sorong to Promote Local Culture and Cuisine

The Papuan Food Festival officially opened at Belantara Papua, Jalan Maleo No.1, North Remu, Sorong City, Southwest Papua, on Thursday (18/6). The event serves as a platform for cultural preservation while introducing the rich culinary, artistic, and craft traditions of indigenous Papuan communities to a wider audience. The opening was attended by the Sorong City Government, represented by Assistant II for Economic Administration and Development of the Sorong City Regional Secretariat, Tamrin Tajuddin. The festival is organised by Belantara Papua, or the Community Learning Workshop, a non-governmental organisation focused on indigenous community empowerment, alternative education, and environmental conservation in the Papua region. In his remarks, Tamrin stressed the importance of involving the younger generation in maintaining the continuity of Papuan culture amidst changing times. “Young Papuans have a vital role in safeguarding and preserving culture so it is not eroded by the passage of time. Cultural preservation must be a shared responsibility, both for the community and the government,” he said. He stated that Papua’s cultural wealth is an identity that must be continuously upheld and passed on to future generations. According to him, support from various parties is needed to ensure local cultural values remain alive and develop. Beyond cuisine, the festival also features various artworks by Papuan communities. Tamrin noted that Papuan painting possesses unique characteristics and forms an important part of the local community’s cultural identity. “Papuan artworks hold high value and represent the community’s cultural identity. This potential needs attention and support so it can further develop, become widely known, and be a source of pride for the Papuan people,” he said. The Papuan Food Festival is expected not only to serve as a platform for promoting local cuisine and culture but also to strengthen young people’s love for Papuan cultural heritage while encouraging its sustainable preservation.