Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—The Pontianak City Administration has promised that the Bangun Sahur Music Festival will be the biggest cultural event on the river every year. It will bring tourists to West Kalimantan’s capital city.
The festival honors the local custom of waking people up for sahur with music and creative performances. Usually, it takes place during Ramadan in the courtyard of Masjid Jami Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman. Now, officials want to make the event more important in Pontianak’s history. Moreover, they aim to strengthen its connection to the river.
The Pontianak vice mayor, Bahasan, said that the festival is about more than just showing off art. He said it was a reminder of the city’s past. He pointed out that the first people to live in Pontianak lived along the Kapuas River near the Masjid Jami’.
“We need to remember that the Masjid Jami’ area is where Pontianak’s history began,” Bahasan said at the opening ceremony on Saturday night, February 21. He added that future editions of the festival should focus on that historical value.
Bahasan suggested reorienting the main stage to face the Kapuas River waterfront, particularly the river promenade. This change would enhance the event’s visual appeal. In addition, it would attract more tourists.
He said that this design would make the area seem more famous and grand, especially for people who live there. It would also impress those who come to see it along the river route.
This initiative is part of a bigger plan to make Pontianak’s religious and river heritage tourism more appealing. The Istana Kadriah and the Masjid Jami’ are two of the main attractions.
“If done right, this festival can show off the city’s religious river culture and help the tourism industry grow,” Bahasan added.
Local leaders think that improving the stage design, telling historical stories better, and linking the festival to the waterfront better will make it more visible across the country. In other words, all these steps will boost Pontianak’s image.
Pontianak wants to make the Bangun Sahur Music Festival a signature Ramadan event that shows off the city’s unique identity along the Kapuas River. The city plans to combine culture, tradition, and tourism growth in this event.
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