Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian opened the Fulan Fehan Festival IV in Desa Dirun, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday.
The festival opening was marked by striking the tihar, a traditional musical instrument typical of Belu. The event featured a colossal dance themed on the friendship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste across the Fulan Fehan savanna.
The interior minister said this was his first experience watching the festival. He contrasted it with performances on man-made stages in major cities.
The festival presented dances from four tribes under the theme Dance for Friendship. Participants and guests from Timor-Leste and Australia also attended.
The minister expressed pride in witnessing history in Belu with its diverse arts and culture yet united within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
