Baliem Cultural Festival Gives Added Value to the Papua People

The 28th Baliem Valley Cultural Festival was officially opened by the XVII/Cenderawasih Commander in Walesi Square, District Walesi, Jayawijaya Regency, on Tuesday, 08 August 2017 at 11.25 Eastern Indonesia time. The opening of the festival was started by Singing the National Anthem Indonesia Raya and prayers led by the Head of Tourism Department of Jayawijaya Regency.

Head of Committee Drs. Alpius Wetipo (Head of Culture and Tourism Department of Jayawijaya Regency) submitted the festival’s implementation report which in essence is that the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival shall last for 3 days from 08 August 2017 until 11 August 2017 and that this festival was followed by 40 districts throughout Jayawijaya Regency.

Meanwhile Jhon Wempi Wetipo, Jayawijaya Regent in his speech delivered welcome greetings to the guests and attendees who have attended the Baliem Valley Culture Festival where the festival is already 28 years old. Through this activity, it is expected that the regional income of Jayawijaya Regency will increase.

Opening the festival, the XVII/Cenderawasih Commander Major. General. Goerge Elnadus Supit conveyed that the festival is very remarkable, so it has added value to the society. This activity needs to be improved because it is a cultural asset of the community.

Baliem Valley Cultural Festival was followed by as many as 40 districts in Jayawijaya Regency and a number of surrounding districts.

With its cultural diversity, the festival is expected to attract both local and foreign tourists.

After the speeches,   the Commander of XVII/Cenderawasih  Military Region, shot a pig (Wam) with an arrow as a symbol that the festival was officially opened. This was followed by the throwing of a 1000  Sege/Spears, for the purpose of  breaking a MURI record.  The opening ceremony was followed by a presentation of dances  and a cultural show of a traditional war-fare performance by the respective Districts of Jayawijaya Regency. This festival was attended by approximately 1500 people, including the Heads of District, traditional leaders, religious figures and community leaders in Jayawijaya Regency.