"The Sepaku people, as local residents of the new capital city of Indonesia, will live with people from various ethnicities and cultures," he observed at the Nusantara Cultural Harmony Festival here on Friday.
The festival, which was held at Bukit Raya Village, in Sepaku was initiated by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.
President Widodo expressed the hope that the development of Nusantara City, which will become a meeting point for various ethnicities and cultures, will stay harmonious.
"The community must maintain, preserve, and develop local culture, values, and identity in East Kalimantan," he added.
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He said that communities in Nusantara City need to have mutual respect and uphold the state motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" to build national harmony, togetherness, and unity.
In the development of the new capital, human resource development and cultural preservation must not be forgotten, he added.
Efforts to preserve Indonesia's strong culture and preventing it from being eroded by foreign cultures must be carried out continuously, he said.
"We praise the Nusantara Cultural Harmony Festival in Sepaku Sub-district as a reminder of the diverse ethnicities and cultures in Indonesia," he added.
Indonesia has very diverse and plural ethnicities and cultures, and there are more than 1,300 tribal groups spread across its territory.
In this context, maintaining the nation's harmony and unity amid differences can become a source of strength.
With its diversity, the country must remain intact as the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, President Widodo added.
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Translator: Nyaman P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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