Papua Mountains, August 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Indonesian Ministry of Law is taking steps to safeguard the intellectual property of the Baliem Valley community in Jayawijaya District during the 33rd Baliem Valley Cultural Festival (FBLB) 2025.
This year’s focus is on protecting the noken (traditional bamboo knitting) competition, seen as a potential driver for local village economies.
According to Anthonius M. Ayorbaba, Head of the Ministry’s Papua Regional Office, the Baliem Valley holds immense cultural and natural tourism value, with traditional honai houses, lush green landscapes, and rich heritage that must be legally preserved.
“FBLB is one of Indonesia’s oldest cultural events and is among the top 10 Charismatic Events of Nusantara (KEN). Proper legal recognition is essential so the community can fully benefit from its cultural wealth,” Ayorbaba said on Saturday.
The festival showcases traditional dance, noken weaving, wood carvings, local cuisine, and tours to scenic attractions. The 33rd edition features a historic performance by 1,500 pikon (traditional musical instrument) players, earning recognition from the Indonesian Museum of World Records (MURI).
Previous records include a 30-meter-long noken in 2019, with the traditional bag having been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2012.
Ayorbaba emphasized that FBLB not only promotes culture and tourism but also provides economic opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local entrepreneurs, and service providers.
“This is more than a festival—it is part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, and we must continue to protect and promote it,” he affirmed.
