BERASTAGI – The Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives, Dr. Ferry Juliantono, officially inaugurated the highly anticipated 2026 Karo Flower and Fruit Festival (Festival Bunga dan Buah / FBB) at Mejuah-juah Park, Berastagi, on Thursday (July 30). During the grand opening, the central government declared its full commitment to backing the festival’s development, aiming to elevate the annual celebration into a prestigious international calendar event.
In his keynote address, Minister Ferry Juliantono lauded the festival as one of Karo Regency’s greatest assets, masterfully integrating agricultural potential, cultural heritage, tourism, and community-driven economic growth into a single, vibrant showcase. The festival has already earned national recognition by securing a spot in the Ministry of Tourism’s prestigious 125 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), positioning it as a prime destination capable of drawing massive waves of foreign tourists.
“We will fully support the organization of the Flower and Fruit Festival so that in the future, it can evolve into an international-scale event,” Minister Ferry stated, while praising the overwhelming enthusiasm of the crowds filling the venue. He emphasized that active community participation is a crucial driver in strengthening the tourism sector and boosting the local economy through regional potential.
As a gesture of deep respect and honor from the Karo indigenous community, Minister Ferry Juliantono was also officially bestowed with the traditional Karo clan title, marga Ginting, during the ceremony.
Echoing the Minister’s optimism, the Regent of Karo, Retired Police Brigadier General Dr. Antonius Ginting, emphasized that the festival is far more than mere entertainment. Instead, it serves as a highly strategic platform to showcase Karo Regency to the world as a region exceptionally rich in horticultural produce, dynamic traditions, and world-class tourist spots.
Regent Antonius added that the Karo administration is continuously tightening collaborations with the central government, the North Sumatra provincial government, business sectors, investors, and various stakeholders to expand regional promotions and unlock new investment channels. This synergy is expected to drive tourist numbers, broaden the market for Karo’s horticulture, and ultimately improve community welfare.
Bearing the theme “The Eternal of Karo Paradise,” the 2026 festival boasts a spectacular lineup of events. These include a carnival parade featuring vehicles adorned with fresh fruits and flowers, exhibitions of superior local SME products, business matching sessions, cultural art performances, traditional dance competitions, and a massive free fruit-tasting event for the public.
Also present at the opening ceremony was the Vice Governor of North Sumatra, H. Surya, who reiterated the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to improving the festival’s quality, solidifying its status as an iconic tourism staple for North Sumatra on both national and global stages.
Perched in the fertile volcanic highlands of North Sumatra, Karo Regency has long been celebrated as the primary agricultural basket of the province. The region’s unique microclimate allows for the massive production of high-quality vegetables, exotic fruits like the famous Berastagi oranges, and vibrant flora that supply markets across Sumatra and neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore. The Flower and Fruit Festival serves as a critical bridge that transforms this agricultural dominance into a lucrative tourism asset.
By upgrading the festival to an international level, local stakeholders hope to accelerate infrastructure development in the Berastagi and Kabanjahe corridors, which frequently face heavy traffic congestion during peak holiday seasons. Enhanced international promotion is also projected to attract foreign direct investments in modern cold-storage facilities and agro-tourism resorts, ensuring that Karo’s local farmers reap long-term economic benefits far beyond the annual festival week.
