Kulon Progo Festival 2017 is officially launched in Jakarta

An iconic view of Kalibiru, a famous tourism spot in Kulonprogo regency, Yogyakarta. (Shutterstock/File)

Kulon Progo Festival (Kulfest) 2017 is set to launch on Aug. 25 at Balairung Soesilo Soedarman, Jakarta. The festival will be held in Kulon Progo from November 24 to 26 and aims to promote Kulon Progo as The Jewel of Java.

The company behind Kulfest 2017, Damar Nusantara Tama (DNT), formed a partnership with the Kulon Progo provincial administrations to invite artists from countries such as Australia, Japan, Thailand and China to take part in the festival.
“Nine international artists are taking part in this event, this is one of the programs by Kulon Progo regency that is held every year. The aim is to preserve the diversity of archipelago’s arts and cultures by involving the locals,” said tourism ministry's archipelago marketing development deputy, Esthy Reko Astuti.

Esthy also mentioned that Kulfest 2017 is a part of the archipelago culinary activity.
One of the Indonesian artists that are taking part in this event is Didik Nini Thowok who hails from Kulon Progo.

Other musicians who will entertain visitors include Andien, Sheila on 7, Djaduk (Kuatnika), Tri Utami, Payung Teduh, Endang Soekamti and Jogja Hip Hop Foundation.
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“There will also be Mata Jiwa band, Mondo Gascaro, Mr. Sonjaya, Dj Hogi, Gugun Blues Shelter and Cameo Project. Kulfest 2017 will also offer activities such as Archipelago Culinary Bazaar, Art & Craft Market, KULFEST Workshop, photo competition, outdoor cinema, wayang kulit / wayang kancil (shadow puppets), Bule Mengajar and others,” said the tourism ministry's head of cultural promotion, Wawan Gunawan.

Tourism minister Arief Yahya said that the construction of New Yogyakarta International Airport that occupies 500 hectares of land in Kulon Progo will commence soon and scheduled to run in 2019.

Borobudur Tourism Authority Board (BOB) has also just been formed and the access to the Borobudur authority area is planned to pass through Kulon Progo.
“Tourism is the fastest, easiest and cheapest industry and it creates good income for the people and country. It’s cheap because the promotional budget only takes two percent out of the total revenue projection, what kind of business that takes only two percent for the promotional budget?” said Arief.

Arief also believed that the biggest business portfolio of Indonesia is tourism, in the last three years tourism has been increasing whilst other businesses such as oil, CPO and mining are decreasing. (JakartaPost)