Jayapura – The Jayapura Regency Government encourages the Kalkhote area, East Sentani District, to become one of the centers for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) as well as a space for the promotion of Papuan culture through the implementation of the XV Lake Sentani Festival (FDS).
The effort began to be seen in the implementation of the FDS XV pre-event that took place at the Kalkhote Pier, Tuesday (8/25/2026). This annual cultural activity is not only a traditional art performance space, but also directed to introduce the potential of the creative economy and local products to the public and visitors.
The opening of the FDS XV pre-event began with the performance of Khui Bea Dance which became one of the cultural attractions in the event. The traditional dance appears in front of visitors and becomes part of a series of activities that raise the cultural wealth of the community around Lake Sentani.
The opening procession was then marked by the beating of tifa together by the Governor of Papua Mathius Fakhiri, the Regent of Jayapura Yunus Wonda, the Deputy Regent of Jayapura Haris Richard Yocku, the Chairman of the Tribal Customary Council (DAS) Sentani Orgenes Kaway, and the ranks of Forkopimda.
Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda in the activity emphasized the importance of making the momentum of the Sentani Lake Festival as a means to strengthen the potential of the local community, including through the development of MSMEs and the creative economy in the Kalkhote region.
The XV Sentani Lake Festival is expected not to stop as an annual agenda, but will be able to have a wider impact on the community. The presence of visitors is an opportunity for UMKM actors to introduce and market various local products that have economic value and Papuan cultural identity.
Meanwhile, Papua Governor Mathius Fakhiri emphasized that Papuan culture is a part of identity that must continue to be maintained and developed. According to him, the younger generation has an important role in ensuring the sustainability of Papuan culture in the midst of the development of the times.
“Culture is not a legacy of the past, but an identity that must continue to develop. The young generation should not only be spectators, but must be the successors of Papuan cultural heritage,” said Mathius.
The series of pre-events of the XV Lake Sentani Festival is scheduled to last until August 29, 2026. Meanwhile, the peak of the festival will be held on September 3-5, 2026.
By combining art performances, cultural preservation, and the development of MSMEs, the Sentani Lake XV Festival is expected to be able to be a space for the community to show their cultural identity as well as open up new economic opportunities.
The Kalkhote area is projected not only to be the venue for the festival, but also to develop as one of the cultural interaction spaces and the center of creative economic activities for the Jayapura Regency community.
