Magelang, ANTARA JATENG - Art teams from three countries, namely China, Japan, and India, have confirmed to perform at the Borobudur International Festival 2017, according to Central Java

Youth, Sports and Tourism Office Chief Urip Sihabudin.

"Together with the participants from the Magelang District and the Central Java Province, the teams of arts from the three countries

will present a range of fascinating arts and cultural performances in the festival on July 28-30, 2017 at the Borobudur Temple Complex," Sihabudin remarked here on Monday.

Central Java has long been the seat of many ancient kingdoms and Sultanates that have all left their mark in the beauty and sophistication of Javanese art and culture.

He said the Borobudur International Festival will be opened by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya on July 28.

"We expect more countries will join the special festivities, since we are still awaiting their confirmations", Sihabudin said, adding that as celebration of art, the festival promises to showcase a plethora of artworks and creations.

Along with the festival, there will be an exhibition of Museum and Prehistoric Collections, while a familiarization trip for international tour operators and journalists will be taken around to explore the fascinating splendors of Borobudur and Central Java.

He further explained that the festival is also aimed at exploring more potential of the area in a wider sense to include the local arts and creativity, next to introduce more traditional villages near Borobudur as lovely appealing attractions to the imposing temple.

"We expect the festival to attract at least 1,000 international and domestic tourists" Sihabuddin said.

According to him, the Borobudur International Festival this year is different from that in the previous years, because based on Central Java provincial government policy, all tourism-related activities

will be conducted as much as possible for the welfare of society.