HARIANKALTIM.COM — Pemerintah Provinsi Kalimantan Timur menegaskan bahwa gelaran East Borneo International Folklore Festival (EBIFF) 2025 bukanlah ajang hiburan komersial, melainkan perayaan budaya lintas negara yang sepenuhnya gratis untuk masyarakat umum.
Festival tahunan ini akan kembali digelar pada 24–29 Juli 2025 oleh Dinas Pariwisata Kaltim, menghadirkan delegasi seni dari enam negara, sejumlah provinsi di Indonesia, serta komunitas budaya dari kabupaten/kota di Kalimantan Timur.
Dengan tema “Symphony of the World in East Borneo”, rangkaian acara dijadwalkan berlangsung di berbagai lokasi di Samarinda, seperti Stadion Gelora Kadrie Oening, Temindung Creative Hub, Pendopo Odah Etam, dan sekolah-sekolah. Para delegasi juga dijadwalkan berkunjung ke Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) dan Pantai Watu Balikpapan.
“Seluruh rangkaian kegiatan terbuka untuk umum dan tidak dipungut biaya. Tidak ada artis nasional, karena ini bukan panggung hiburan mainstream, tapi forum pertukaran budaya,” jelas Awang Khalik, Kepala Bidang Ekonomi Kreatif Dispar Kaltim, dalam konferensi pers Rabu (11/06/2025).
EBIFF tahun ini akan diikuti oleh negara-negara seperti India, Korea Selatan, Rumania, Rusia, dan Polandia, dengan delegasi sebanyak 12–25 orang per negara. Dari dalam negeri, tujuh provinsi turut berpartisipasi, termasuk Bengkulu, Jawa Timur, dan Sulawesi Selatan.
Selain itu, 10 kabupaten/kota di Kaltim juga akan menampilkan kekayaan seni khas masing-masing, mulai dari budaya keraton hingga tradisi pesisir dan pedalaman.
Awang menambahkan bahwa meski jumlah negara peserta berkurang dibanding tahun sebelumnya, proses kurasi tetap dilakukan secara ketat bersama SIOP untuk menjaga kualitas internasional.
Pembukaan EBIFF akan digelar 25 Juli di Stadion Gelora Kadrie Oening, didahului oleh Kirab Budaya Internasional dari Taman Samarendah ke Kantor Gubernur Kaltim. Penutupan dijadwalkan pada 28 Juli, juga di stadion yang sama.
“Yang kami hadirkan bukan selebritas, tapi duta-duta budaya. Inilah panggung keragaman dunia yang bisa dinikmati siapa saja, tanpa harus membayar,” tegas Awang. “EBIFF adalah ruang perjumpaan budaya, bukan pertunjukan komersial.”
(ZYN/ADV/DISKOMINFO)
ENGLISH VERSION
The East Borneo Provincial Government emphasizes that the East Borneo International Folklore Festival (EBIFF) 2025 is not a commercial entertainment event but rather a celebration of cross-country cultures that is entirely free for the public.
This annual festival will be held again from July 24 to 29, 2025, organized by the East Borneo Tourism Office, and will feature artistic delegations from six countries, various provinces in Indonesia, and cultural communities from regencies and cities in East Borneo.
With the theme “Symphony of the World in East Borneo”, the event is scheduled to take place in several locations in Samarinda, such as Gelora Kadrie Oening Stadium, Temindung Creative Hub, Pendopo Odah Etam, and local schools. Delegates will also visit the Nusantara Capital (IKN) and Watu Beach in Balikpapan as part of the event’s program.
“All activities are open to the public and free of charge. There will be no national celebrities because this is not a mainstream entertainment stage, but a cultural exchange forum,” explained Awang Khalik, Head of the Creative Economy Division of the East Borneo Tourism Office, during a press conference on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
This year’s EBIFF will be attended by countries such as India, South Korea, Romania, Russia, and Poland, with delegations ranging from 12 to 25 participants per country. Seven provinces from Indonesia, including Bengkulu, East Java, and South Sulawesi, will also participate.
In addition, 10 regencies/cities in East Borneo will showcase their unique regional arts, ranging from royal traditions to coastal and inland cultures.
Awang added that although the number of participating countries has decreased compared to previous years, the curation process remains stringent in collaboration with SIOP to ensure international standards are maintained.
The opening ceremony of EBIFF will be held on July 25 at Gelora Kadrie Oening Stadium, preceded by an International Cultural Parade from Samarendah Park to the East Borneo Governor’s Office. The closing event is scheduled for July 28, also at the same stadium.
“We are not presenting celebrities, but cultural ambassadors. This is a stage for the diversity of the world that anyone can enjoy without having to pay,” emphasized Awang. “EBIFF is a cultural meeting space, not a commercial show.”
(ADV/RED3-Z2/f)