JAKARTA – Thematic designer Migi Rihasalay, together with her family and fellow colleagues, held a series of 2026 New Year celebrations at two different locations. The events were held in Karimunjawa, an archipelago ecosystem in Jepara Regency, Central Java, and at Kampung Joglo in the Tanjung Lesung Beach area, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.
“First, I would like to express my gratitude to my husband Andrew James, family, relatives, and friends who have participated in making this New Year celebration a success,” Migi Rihasalay told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday (January 4).
According to her, the celebration to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026 in these distinct settings has become a special memory for her.
This year’s celebration was simpler than previous ones, as the nation is mourning the devastating natural disasters that have struck Sumatra. “In this celebration, we focused more on praying for our brothers and sisters in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and other regions still struggling to recover from flash floods,” said Migi, a fashion designer who also masters various other art forms.
Thus, throughout the event, there was no sense of extravagance or lavishness. “The celebration began with singing the national anthem Indonesia Pusaka, followed by prayers, lighting 1,000 candles, and modest entertainment – all in the spirit of condolence,” explained Migi, who is also known as a socialite and often involved in social activities and environmental conservation efforts.
Migi and her husband deliberately chose candles because they carry many symbols, such as peace, sincerity, light, hope, and life. “These symbols are meant to motivate our brothers and sisters affected by the disasters to remain sincere and hold hope for the future,” said Migi, accompanied by Andrew James, an Australian architect.
Both celebration locations – Karimunjawa and Kampung Joglo – hold deep meaning for Migi and Andrew. Karimunjawa in Jepara Regency is a place she frequently visits to source wood for joglo houses, which serve as the foundation for Kampung Joglo a complex of six joglo houses in Tanjung Lesung Beach. For eight years, the couple has collected teak wood materials from Jepara and transported them to Tanjung Lesung to build Kampung Joglo.
This creative art residence and heritage tourist site is expected to contribute to the tourism value of Pandeglang.
Source: Compiled from various sources
Media Center: Majelis Adat Indonesia (MAI)
Editor: Prime News Post – Executive Editorial Team
