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span class="inline inline-left">Light up the night: Kutai Kartanegara regent Rita Widyasari (first left), vice regent Gufron Yusuf (second left) and head of culture and tourism Sri Wahyuni (right) release one of 1,500 celebratory lanterns at the night sky festival at Kemala island, Tenggarong.The Kota Raja Festival, showcasing an array of cultural and arts activities, is being held to celebrate the 230th anniversary of the city of Tenggarong, East Kalimantan.

Opened on Sept. 24, the festival continues through Nov. 11, 2012.

There will be traditional arts on show, including all-night leather puppet performances, and contemporary arts, short film screenings, a fashion show, rock music concerts and a photo contest.

Workshops on the local traditional Jepen dance and traditional fashion competitions are also on the agenda.

Popular Brazilian band Sepultura will set pulses racing with a performance at Aji Imbut Tenggarong Stadium on Friday, Nov. 9. Local artists will also demonstrate their musical talents and skills in performances at Rondong Demang Stadium on Nov. 11.

Kutai Kartanegara Regent Rita Widyasari said the series of activities held to celebrate the anniversary of Tenggarong City would encourage locals to develop the city into a more creative and entrepreneur-based area that appreciates local cultural wisdom.

Rita made her remarks during a plenary session at Kutai Kartanegara’s Regional Legislative Council, held in conjunction with Tenggarong City’s anniversary on Sept. 28.

The festival is part of intensive endeavors to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit among the community and local government by maximizing existing potential and improving the welfare of local people through adhering to local wisdom.

“I hope that through the Kota Raja Festival, the community can appreciate local culture so that our culture will not experience what is called ‘the end of history’,” she said.

The festival is guaranteed to entertain local residents and visitors, especially on the weekend leading up to the climax on Nov. 11.

“This is a good beginning. Following the successful holding of the series of programs, the Kota Raja Festival is expected to be included in the annual agenda for Tenggarong City’s anniversary,” said Kutai Kartanegara Tourism and Culture Office head Sri Wahyuni.

The festival is aimed at attracting more tourists to Tenggarong, which is part of the tourism and culture office’s tasks. “Through the festival, we are also eager to provide support and positive entertainment and thematic education for the public at large,” she said.

“On top of that, we are also eager to provide room and an opportunity for stakeholders engaged in culture, tourism and the creative economy to boost their presence and enhance their capacity and competence,” she said.

“The festival is expected to be a monumental and sustainable event, and become part of the significant promotional programs to boost domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.”