TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Thousands participate in Pacu Jalur Festival in Riau Islands
Up to 193 teams or around 12,000 people have participated in the elimination round of Pacu Jalur Festival.
Change Size
People in a rowing competition. (Shutterstock/File)
U
p to 193 teams or around 12,000 people have participated in the elimination round of Pacu Jalur Festival, a rowing competition held at Tepian Narosa Teluk Kuantan in Kuantan regency, Riau Islands.
The elimination round was conducted on the first day of the festival on Aug. 23. The event itself will last until Aug. 26.
Officiated by Riau Governor Arsyadjuliandi Rachman, the event's opening ceremony was held in Limuna Field, 50 meters away from the Pacu Jalur arena.
The participants are competing to win the total prize of Rp 65 million (US$4,867)
Read also: Cirebon to host festival of palaces across Indonesia
“The 193 teams are representing 15 districts across Riau province. This competition adopts the knockout system, meaning that losing teams are not allowed to compete again,” said Kuantan Singingi Tourism and Cultural Agency head Marwan.
“Last year the event attracted around 350,00 visitors. This year we expect to welcome up to 500,000 visitors,” added Marwan.
The Pacu Jalur tradition has a long history and been held for years. The Batang Kuantan River, which is situated between the upstream part of Hulu Kuantan district and the downstream part of Cerenti district, has been used as a shipping line since the 17th century. (kes)
