Becoming A Tourist Attraction, Musi River Bidar Festival Is Included In The List Of Karisma Event Nusantara

Illustration. The atmosphere of the bidar and ornamental boat competition in the Musi River, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Minggi (20/8/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Musi River with the Ampera Bridge background has always been a magnet for tourists visiting Palembang. This legendary river panorama is not only beautiful to enjoy, but also a stage for various interesting cultural events, one of which is the Bidar Boat Festival.

The combination of the sportsmanship of traditional rowing competitions and the excitement atmosphere on the banks of the river makes it a typical attraction that is rarely found in other areas.

This year, the Bidar Boat Festival which was held to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence was officially included in the list of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The event took place on August 15-17, 2025 and was opened directly by the Mayor of Palembang, Ratu Dewa.

According to Ratu Dewa, this year's implementation will be the second time that it has successfully entered the national agenda of KEN. In addition to enlivening the commemoration of independence, this festival also plays an important role in preserving local culture, becoming public entertainment, and fostering outstanding rowing athletes.

The Palembang City Government targets tens of thousands of visitors for three days of implementation. "Hopefully, this event will also encourage an increase in Regional Original Revenue (PAD) in 2025," he said.

To support the smooth running of events, all relevant regional apparatus were deployed, including hundreds of personnel from the Polrestabes, Transportation Service, Satpol PP, DLH, PBK, Perkimtan, as well as medical and ambulance teams both on land and river. Security, health, and smooth traffic flows are a priority.

The Bidar Boat Festival is not just a competition, but a symbol of the unity of the citizens. Traditional boats decorated with bright colors drove fast on the Musi River, witnessed by thousands of spectators from the riverbank, over the Ampera Bridge, Musi VI Bridge, to from small boats belonging to local residents.

As in previous years, the attractiveness of this festival is believed to be able to attract more than 60 thousand spectators. With the combination of the beauty of the Musi River, the spirit of the rowers, and the typical atmosphere of Palembang, the Bidar Boat Festival is further strengthening the image of this city as a special cultural tourism destination and water sports.