Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The 15th Pinisi Festival will return to Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, in September 2025. The event showcasing the region’s rich maritime heritage, which has been recognized by UNESCO is part of Indonesia’s official 2025 tourism calendar.
“Bulukumba Regency is making every effort to highlight our cultural excellence during the 15th Pinisi Festival, which will be held from September 11 to 13,” said Bulukumba’s Public Relations Chief, Andi Ayatullah Ahmad, on Monday (August 4).
The festival named after the legendary Pinisi boat, a maritime icon of Bulukumba and a masterpiece of local sailors and boatbuilders. In 2017, UNESCO recognized the art of Pinisi boatbuilding as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its cultural and historical significance as a symbol of Indonesia’s maritime heritage.
This year’s festival, themed “Culture Elaboration for Sustainable Tourism”, will take place at three main venues: Mandala Ria Beach, Merpati Beach, and Bonto Bahari in Bulukumba.
The festival will feature a variety of activities designed to celebrate Bulukumba’s maritime legacy and local traditions.A key highlight is sailing Pinisi, where visitors can experience firsthand a voyage aboard the legendary wooden boat. Other attractions include a cultural parade, fishing competitions, and a decorative boat contest.
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The festival will also present Senandung Kopi Kahayya, an event combining local culture with the region’s signature coffee. Competitions open to the public include photography, miniature Pinisi video contests, and coloring competitions, aimed at engaging participants of all ages.
In addition, the festival will host a small business and creative economy exhibition, providing local entrepreneurs from Bulukumba and surrounding areas an opportunity to showcase and market their products. Organizers see this as a strategic step to support grassroots economic growth.
The festival serves as a platform to preserve and promote this heritage to younger generations through educational and entertaining activities, while reinforcing the community’s commitment to cultural sustainability.
(Raidi/Agung)
