Welcoming Eid Al-Fitr, Karimun Holds A Strategic Ornamental Light Festival

Flashlight (ANTARA/HO-Krimun Regency Government)

JAKARTA - The Eid holiday is a moment that people have been waiting for to travel and gather with their families. Various interesting destinations in Indonesia are crowded with tourists, both local and foreign.

One of the areas that presents a typical atmosphere of Eid with a cultural touch is Karimun Regency, Riau Islands. In addition to its natural beauty, this area also holds various interesting events to enliven Eid al-Fitr.

The Regency Government (Pemkab) of Karimun, Riau Islands, held the Eid Mubarak Ornamental Light Festival to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri and attract tourists from various regions and abroad.

Head of the Karimun Regency Tourism Office (Dispar), M. Yunus, when confirmed from Karimun on Thursday, explained that this festival is not only aimed at enlivening Eid, but also as an effort to preserve and introduce Malay culture to the younger generation and tourists.

He revealed that this festival consists of two categories of ornamental lamp competitions, namely electric lights and plugs.

"The number of participants reached 46 people, with details of 15 participants participating in the volley light competition and 31 other participants participating in the electric light category," he said.

Furthermore, he added that the first winner in the Gorong Light category would receive a cash prize of Rp. 20 million, while the second winner received Rp. 17.5 million, the third winner was Rp. 15 million, the fourth winner was Rp. 12.5 million, the fifth winner was Rp. 10 million, and the sixth winner was Rp. 7.5 million.

Meanwhile, for the electric light category, the first winner will bring home a prize of Rp. 15 million, the second winner Rp. 12.5 million, the third winner Rp. 10 million, the fourth winner Rp. 7.5 million, the fifth winner Rp. 5 million, and the sixth winner Rp. 2.5 million.

"Participants who take part in this festival come from various sub-districts, such as Sepulau Karimun, Sepulau Kmundur, Buru, and Ungar," he added.

Separately, the Head of Marketing for the Karimun Tourism Office, Ahadian Zulseptriadi, revealed that the assessment process will take place from March 22 to 26, 2025.

In accordance with applicable regulations, all lights must be turned on on on the assessment night according to the set schedule, as well as on the seven-likur night or 27 Ramadan. In addition, participants are also expected to turn on the lights on the night of Eid al-Fitr to enliven the atmosphere.

"On the evening of March 22, the assessment was carried out in Ungar District and Kundur, March 23 in the island of Kundur, March 24 there was no assessment, while March 25 and 26 took place in the Karimun Islands and Buru," he explained.

He added that the assessment on Pulau Kundur had to be repeated because during the previous assessment process, rain and strong winds hampered the jury's work in assessing the plug light.

"Based on the direction of the Regent, starting in 2026, the broker light competition will be divided into two zones to facilitate the assessment process and increase the number of participants," he said.

He explained that by 2026, the possibility of Karimun, Buru, and the Gelam Strait will be included in one zone, while the other zones include Durai, Ungar, Sugi, and Moro.