VP Gibran Carries Cross at Kupang Easter Parade to Promote Unity and Tolerance

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on April 6, 2026, to open the 30th Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT) Easter Parade Festival. During the event, the Vice President participated in the religious procession by helping to carry the cross, a gesture highlighted by local and national media reporting on the occasion.

While in Kupang, Vice President Gibran expressed his support for a proposal to integrate the Easter Parade Festival into Indonesia’s national religious tourism agenda. This initiative aims to elevate the event’s status to a national scale to attract a higher volume of both domestic and international visitors.

Push for National Recognition

The effort to secure national status for the parade was spearheaded by the Mayor of Kupang, dr. Christian Widodo, who invited the Vice President to witness the festivities. The municipal government views the national designation as a critical step in promoting the region’s cultural and religious assets.

Vice President Gibran endorsed the move, stating that the initiative deserved support due to its potential to stimulate the local economy. He indicated that the central government would follow up on the proposal by improving infrastructure, strengthening promotional efforts, and providing support for small businesses and local communities.

I just learned that this Easter parade has been proposed for inclusion. It is a good initiative that deserves support,

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka

The Vice President further noted that the government intends to implement programs specifically designed to enhance the creative economy within the East Nusa Tenggara region.

Religious Tourism Potential in NTT

During his visit, Gibran emphasized that East Nusa Tenggara possesses significant potential for religious tourism. He identified several key attractions already contributing to the region’s economic activity, including the Semana Santa celebrations in Larantuka, East Flores, and the Virgin Mary statue located at Nilo Hill in Sikka.

These destinations can boost tourism appeal, drive economic activity and improve people’s welfare,

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka

The Chairman of the GMIT Synod Assembly, Rev. Samuel Benjamin Pendie, echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the Easter Parade Festival would soon achieve national recognition. According to Pendie, such a status would facilitate more robust development planning and broader promotion to draw more visitors to the city of Kupang.

Security and Procession Scale

The 2026 celebrations included a significant maritime component known as the Galilea procession in Kupang Bay. The Ditpolairud of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT) was deployed to ensure security for the event, providing an escort for 500 participants involved in the procession.

The large-scale participation and the presence of high-ranking government officials underscored the event’s importance to the local community and the broader religious landscape of the province.

Call for Unity and Tolerance

Beyond the tourism and economic objectives, Vice President Gibran used the occasion to address the wider Indonesian public. He called upon all citizens to maintain national unity and uphold the values of tolerance.

The Vice President’s participation in the GMIT Easter Parade served as a symbolic gesture of solidarity and religious harmony within the framework of the national ideology of Pancasila.