BANYUMAS, Indonesia — Purwokerto Muhammadiyah University (UMP) held its 4th hot air balloon festival on Sunday (June 28, 2026) at the Mas Mansoer Field on UMP’s Campus 1 in Banyumas, Indonesia. The festival served as a promotional platform for the university while also stimulating economic activity in the Banyumas region and its surroundings.
Organized in partnership with hot air balloon operators from Wonosobo, the festival was themed "Grow Stronger, Impact Greater." The event lineup included the launch of 31 hot air balloons, a local food bazaar, and musical performances. This theme aligned with the university's 61st anniversary theme celebrated on April 5th.
"A university should not merely be a place for learning, it must also be a source of significant benefit to the community and this event is one such example," said Jebul Suroso, the Rector of UMP. He noted that the university's presence has a positive economic impact on the local community, particularly in Banyumas, with a focus on the tourism and culinary sectors.
Local MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) also benefited from this economic activity. The Rector added that the festival generated IDR 3.5 billion (approximately $ USD 195.000) in revenue for MSME participants last year. This aligns with the experience of Riswanto (45), a vendor who has participated in the festival for the past three years. "Alhamdulillah, I’ve found good fortune here, the event is excellent, the residents are entertained, and it’s great for the vendors too," he explained.
Local residents also welcomed the event with great enthusiasm. Wiwit (48), a visitor from Bobosan, Purwokerto, expressed her delight in enjoying the festival's activities, even though she arrived late.
Attendees came not only from Banyumas but also from various regions across Indonesia, including Pontianak, Samarinda, Tangerang, Jakarta, and Bogor. Looking to the future, Suroso hopes the festival will become even more spectacular, featuring a larger number of balloons and a bigger audience, as well as showcasing innovative works by UMP lecturers and students.
Photo by Febrian Dwianto / JNA Press
