Jember, E Java, (Antara) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his happiness here on Sunday as Jember district in East Java has already been declared as a world's carnival city following its success in organizing "Jember Fashion Carnival" every year for the past 16 years.
"Today I am very happy and glad to know that Jember has become World's Carnival City and see Jember Fashion Carnival that has been held every year for the past 16 years," he said when opening the JFC grand carnival.
JFC has not only become the icon of Jember but also an icon that gives pride to the nation as it is not inferior to other carnivals in the world.
"I saw JFC is not less attractive, creative and lively than carnivals in Pasadena, USA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Berlin," he said.
Indonesia has great potential with regard to the event and he hoped the ministers of tourism and education as well as JFC president Dynand Fariz could organize a similar event nationally once in three years.
"If the JFC in Jember is held annually later nationally a similar event could be done once in three years to promote tourism in the country," he said.
Dynand Fariz expressed gratefulness and also happiness with the presence of President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana at the grand carnival.
"The big theme of the 16th JFC this year is "Victory" because of the achievements that have been made by JFC at international levels so far and the 13 awards that have been received will be paraded at the grand carnival," he said.
JFC has won international awards for best national costumes inspired by various region such as Bali (for best nationsl costume, mister international 2010 in Indonesia), Toraja Karembau (best national costume man hunt international 2011 in South Korea), Papua (best national costume, mister universe model in the Republic of Dominica), Borneo (best national costume, miss supranational 2014 in Poland), Lampung (best national costume, miss international 2014 in Tokyo, Japan and best national costume, miss grand international 2016 in Las Vegas, USA), Tiraja Tongkonan (best national costume, miss suprnational 2015 in Poland), Borobudur (best national costume, miss universe 2015 in Florida, USA), Betawi (best national costume, miss tourism international 2016 in Malaysia) and Garuda (top 5 national costumes, miss universe 2016, the Philippines).
"In all there are nine marches at the JFC to pass through the 3.6 km catwalk in Jember," he said.
Reported by Zumrotin Solichah.(*)
