Indonesia celebrates National Culture Day with major events

Indonesia is observing National Culture Day on October 17, 2026. The commemoration marks the anniversary of the 1951 government regulation that officially established the Garuda Pancasila as the national emblem. This year, the Ministry of Culture is hosting celebrations at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) under the theme “Budaya Hidup, Indonesia Berdaya!” (Living Culture, Empowered Indonesia), emphasizing the role of tradition as a driver for the creative economy.

In Riau, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon opened a major cultural parade organized by the Lembaga Adat Melayu Riau (LAMR). The event featured over 2,000 participants from 42 different ethnic associations, showcasing diverse traditional attire, arts, and customs. The parade included traditional performances such as Randai and Zapin, aimed at strengthening inter-ethnic brotherhood and celebrating the region's cultural richness.