Foto: Organizing committee members, international delegates, kite enthusiasts, and stakeholders pose for a group photo following the Jogja International Kite Festival (JIKF) 2026 press conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The festival will welcome participants from 17 countries and will take place from July 7–12, 2026, with the main event scheduled for July 11–12 at Parangkusumo Beach, Bantul.
YOGYAKARTA, jendelainfo.co.id – The Jogja International Kite Festival (JIKF) 2026 is set to return with a bigger and more innovative concept, combining culture, education, and international collaboration. This year’s festival will feature around 400 participants, including kite enthusiasts from 17 countries, making it one of Indonesia’s largest international kite festivals.
During a press conference on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), the organizing committee announced that JIKF 2026 will offer much more than spectacular kite-flying performances. The festival introduces several new programs, including educational activities, workshops, and international exhibitions aimed at promoting creativity and cultural exchange.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Anang Sarjiyanto, said the festival will begin with a series of pre-event activities, including the Kite and Aero Photography Seminar, an exhibition scheduled for July 7–9, and a special workshop on July 8.
One of the festival’s newest highlights is the Student Kite Olympiad, designed to encourage creativity and innovation among young people. The initiative is further supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) through kite-making training programs for students and local communities.
The cultural celebration will officially begin on July 10 with the traditional Labuhan Ceremony at Parangkusumo Beach, Bantul, Yogyakarta. The festival’s main event will take place on July 11–12, featuring giant kite displays, international performances, and an exhibition involving representatives from 17 countries.
Among the international participants are Saulė Varškevičiūtė and Liudvikas Šablauskas from Lithuania, who are visiting Indonesia for the first time.
“We didn’t have any special preparations before coming here. We are very happy to participate in this festival, and this is our first time visiting Yogyakarta,” said Liudvikas.
Saulė added that their team brought approximately ten kites to display during the festival. Besides flying kites, they are also eager to experience Indonesian culture, meet people from different countries, and taste Yogyakarta’s local cuisine.
The event is organized in collaboration with the Angkasa Satu community. Chairman RDA Yuristianto and Program Director Rizal Rusyadi are overseeing technical operations, including flight zone management, participant coordination, and safety measures throughout the festival.
Meanwhile, Antarikso Trisno Bawono, Head of Destination Development at the Yogyakarta Tourism Office, expressed optimism that JIKF 2026 will significantly boost tourist arrivals while promoting Yogyakarta’s cultural and tourism potential to the international community.
By combining traditional culture, education, technology, and tourism, the Jogja International Kite Festival 2026 is expected to become one of Indonesia’s premier international events, transforming the skies above Parangkusumo Beach into a vibrant showcase of creativity and friendship among nations.
(AR/jendelainfo)
