ER
ACTING Mayor of Pontianak, Edi Suryanto, affirmed that the Cap Go Meh 2576 Kongzili Festival in Pontianak City not only contributes to cultural preservation but also stimulates the local economy.
“The activities during the Promotion and Culinary Week for Cap Go Meh 2025 celebrate our cultural richness and serve as an opportunity for local entrepreneurs, especially small businesses, to expand their markets,” Suryanto remarked here on Friday (02/7), 2025.
He stated that the festival features exhibitions of Pontianak’s local products, traditional crafts, and culinary specialities, which can draw several visitors.
“There are over 60 booths showcasing micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) products and various culinary (options) along Diponegoro Street in Pontianak. Residents showed up in large numbers for the opening,” he revealed.
The acting mayor expressed gratitude for the support of the West Kalimantan Provincial Government and other organizations that have helped make Cap Go Meh a national event.
“This demonstrates how the economy in Pontianak is growing and positively impacting the welfare of the community,” he stated.
Suryanto expected that this festival would be instrumental in promoting the rich culture of Pontianak and West Kalimantan on a larger scale. The Cap Go Meh Festival is also poised to have a significant positive effect on the local economy and people’s welfare.
“Additionally, it can strengthen harmony among different ethnic groups and religions in Pontianak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hendry Pangestu Lim, Chair of the Cap Go Meh Festival Committee, thanked everyone who supported this event.
He explained that the festival is held from February 6 to February 12, 2025. The festival comprises the culinary promotion week and the “Naga Buka Mata” event on February 10 at the Kwan Tie Bio Temple, starting at 5 a.m. local time, featuring 10 dragons followed by 29 others. [antaranews/photo special]
