The annual Bangka Culture Wave Festival is set to make a splash this year.

The festival, which will runs from April 2 to 7, showcases the multi-ethnic Bangka natives who are of Malay, Chinese, Dutch, Javanese and Arabian heritage, among others.

Bangka Belitung’s planning and research board head, Ferry Insani, said the government had pulled out all the stops to ensure that the festival would be jam-packed with colorful events and performances.

“The festival will also boast numerous workshops and bazaars, as well as artistic performances such as live painting demonstrations, traditional dances, and a colossal Chinese theatrical performance,” Ferry said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that the festival was part of a concerted effort to lure more tourists to Bangka. The regional administration’s other bids to promote local tourism include the Sungailiat Triathlon, which takes place in June.

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“We hope that the festival will help Bangka achieve the same level of popularity that Belitung has enjoyed,” multicultural division head Esthy Reko Astuti said during an address at the Tourism Ministry.

With a theme dubbed “Homecoming”, this year’s iteration of the festival will be held in De’Locomotief, Tonaci Tourist Beach, Sungailiat, Bangka Island.

Festival goers will be treated to a line-up of various music and dance performances showcasing Bangka’s cultural wealth at seven main events including the Bangka Wave Carnival, Bangka Ethnic Wave Performance Festival, Bangka Ethnic Music Festival, and Bangka Art Wave.

In addition to these performances, the festival will also host various traditional dance, painting, vlogging, photography and mahjong competitions.

This year’s venue, which is relatively close to Depati Amir Airport, is expected to allow easy access for tourists.

The festival committee expects to welcome 5,000 foreign tourists and 50,000 domestic visitors. (rfa/kes)