Jakarta. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana officially opened the 2025 Pacu Jalur Festival at Tepian Narosa, Kuantan Tengah District, Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regency, Riau, on Wednesday morning.

This annual boat race and cultural festival will run until Sunday. In addition to Minister Widiyanti, the opening ceremony was also attended by Head of Presidential Communications Hasan Hasbi and Culture Minister Fadli Zon. Several foreign ambassadors were also present at the event.

Ambassadors in attendance included those from Bangladesh, Fiji, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mozambique, representatives of the United Nations, Serbia, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Kenya, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Angola.

Mozambican Ambassador Belmiro Jose Malate expressed his delight and pride at being able to attend the 2025 Pacu Jalur Festival.

“I am very happy to join this festival, deeply impressed, and I believe it is important for us to get to know Indonesian culture,” said Belmiro Jose Malate.

As host, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid expressed his hope that this annual cultural event will gain even more international recognition in the coming years.

“This year may be the beginning for us to improve and fix what is still lacking. Next year, we will do even better,” he stated.

Abdul Wahid also apologized if this year’s organization still seemed rushed.

“We are collaborating to ensure Pacu Jalur is organized neatly and properly, giving a positive impression to visitors. Pacu Jalur has already gone global, so it must present a good image of Kuansing,” he explained.

Thousands of visitors had already filled Tepian Narosa since early morning. The Pacu Jalur Festival was officially inaugurated by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

This cultural tradition is expected to draw up to 2 million spectators over the five-day event. The predicted surge in audience numbers comes in part due to the worldwide viral fame of Rayyan Arkan Dhika, the young "aura farming" dancer.

In addition, rapper Melly Mike reportedly arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday night. Social media posts showed the Young Black and Rich singer inside a car, tagging his location as Jakarta, Indonesia.

Since July, Melly had announced plans to attend the 2025 Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuantan Singingi, following the viral trend of his song being used as the soundtrack for the “aura farming” dance.

The Riau Regional Police deployed as many as 920 personnel across the Telukkuantan area to secure the festivities.