Jakarta, July 14, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), together with the Tomohon City Government, discussed strengthening the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) 2026 as part of efforts to develop the festival into a creative economy platform centered on floriculture and regional intellectual property (IP). This initiative is expected to reinforce Tomohon City's identity while creating greater added value for creative economy practitioners and local communities.
Vice Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar receives Tomohon Mayor Caroll Joram Azarias Senduk during an audience meeting at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
"Our hope is for TIFF to become more than just a festival—it should evolve into a platform for creative economy development. The festival's identity must be strengthened through a distinctive theme and narrative so that it has a strong character and is easily recognizable," said Vice Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar while receiving Tomohon Mayor Caroll Joram Azarias Senduk at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 14).
During the meeting, the Tomohon City Government invited the Ministry of Creative Economy to attend and officially open TIFF 2026, which is scheduled to take place from August 7–12, 2026.
First launched in 2008, TIFF is an international festival and part of the Karisma Event Nusantara calendar. Its flagship programs include the Tournament of Flowers, Tomohon Flower Carnival, and the Tourism, Trade, Investment, and Floriculture Expo, which provide promotional opportunities, exhibitions, and business matching sessions for creative economy stakeholders.
Photo: Bureau of Communications, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Ministry of Creative Economy Secretary Dessy Ruhati added that collaboration with creative communities and design associations should be further strengthened to enhance the curation quality of decorative flower floats while expanding participation from creative economy subsectors such as fashion, crafts, music, and performing arts. She also noted that leveraging digital technology through QR codes and visitor participation systems could enrich the festival experience while supporting event evaluation.
Beyond TIFF 2026, the Vice Minister also highlighted the potential of chrysanthemums as a signature creative economy identity for Tomohon City. According to her, developing chrysanthemum-based derivative products—including tea, essential oils, and other creative products—could strengthen the local floriculture ecosystem while generating added value for farmers, entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, and the regional creative industry.
Photo: Bureau of Communications, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
"We organize TIFF to introduce Tomohon as the City of Flowers while attracting investment and stimulating the local economy. All flowers featured in the festival are sourced from Tomohon farmers, and the decorative floats are designed by local designers and decorators. As a result, the festival delivers direct benefits to the community and creative economy practitioners in Tomohon," said Tomohon Mayor Caroll Joram Azarias Senduk.
The meeting followed up on discussions between the Ministry of Creative Economy and the Tomohon City Government held on April 14, 2026, regarding preparations for TIFF 2026. Through this continued dialogue, both parties agreed to strengthen coordination in developing the festival's identity, enhancing the floriculture-based creative economy ecosystem, and promoting TIFF as one of Indonesia's premier regional festivals that delivers tangible value to local communities and creative economy stakeholders.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
