We have to be relevant with (current) culture development and knowledge industries revolution.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of General Politics and Governance of the Home Affairs Ministry and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) will organize the Indonesian Harmony Festival, which will feature cultural performances from 34 Indonesian provinces, in October.

The festival will be held on October 28 and 29, 2022, at TMII and will coincide with the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day, which is celebrated every October 28.

The implementation of the festival reflects the diversity and wealth of Indonesian cultures, director of economic, social, and cultural resilience at the directorate general, La Ode Ahmad, said at a press conference accessed online from here on Wednesday.

The directorate general expects that Indonesia's cultural harmony will be showcased at the festival through music, dance, arts, food, as well as films to encourage the realization of international harmony.

The director said that Indonesia's cultural diversity must be maintained so that youngsters do not forget their heritage.

Hence, the festival will present both traditional and popular arts.

In addition, Ahmad said he hoped that the festival would be implemented in a contemporary and relevant way, without dismissing the educational purpose of the event as well as the philosophical values of traditional arts and cultures.

Hence, the ministry is also cooperating with Boss Creator -- a private performance industry player — to conceptualize the festival so that it can draw the younger generation.

“We have to be relevant with (current) culture development and knowledge industries revolution,” the director noted.

To continue involving the millennials and Generation Z in the preservation of traditional cultures, cultural literacy is required, he added.

Executive director of TMII, Emilia Eny Utari, enthusiastically welcomed the collaboration with the ministry.

She said that the festival could revive the function of TMII as a cultural showcase of the 34 provinces of Indonesia.

"Hopefully, all Indonesian people, especially the millennials and Generation Z, will know and love their own culture better through the festival," she added.

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Translator: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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