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Banda gears up for one month-long festival
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View of Run Island in Banda Islands, Maluku. (Shutterstock/File)
Banda in Maluku is set to host a month-long Pesta Rakyat Banda (Banda People’s Party) starting from Oct. 11.
The party will feature plenty of attractions, such as dance, music and theater performances, handicraft exhibition, writing class, culinary exhibition and history dialogue.
It will also feature other activities, including the signing of a peace inscription at the Rhun Island, a sea declaration at the Hatta Island and the inauguration of four national hero statues who were once exiled in Banda, such as Mohammad Hatta, Sutan Syahrir, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo and Iwa Koesoemasoemantri.
Banda is also preparing a special event to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Breda.
Read also: An American’s guide to visiting Jakarta
The festival is expected to attract at least 1,500 domestic and foreign tourists.
“We’ve coordinated with PT Pelni to provide ships and pioneer flights that serve Ambon – Banda Neira route,” said Maluku Tourism Agency head Ona Saimima.
Traveling from Jakarta to Ambon takes around six hours. From Ambon, tourists can take a taxi to Tulehu Port and then sail across the sea for another six hours to Banda Neira Airport.
Banda is famous for its snorkeling and diving spots as it boasts up to 30 world-class diving spots.
Other than marine tourism, Banda is also rich in spices and home to several interesting tourist sites, such as the Independence Monument and the forts of Belgica and Nassau. (kes)
