PRIME NEWS POST

The INDONESIAN, (JAKARTA) — R. Panca Nur, Founder and Chairman of the Cultural Awareness Movement, has called on traditional leaders, cultural figures, community leaders, artists, academics, youth, and all elements of society to unite in preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage while strengthening national unity.

The call was issued ahead of National Culture Day, themed “Weaving Cultural Awareness for National Harmony,” scheduled to take place 23–25 October 2026 at the Kostrad Field in South Jakarta’s Petukangan Utara.

Carrying the central message “Preserve Cultural Harmony for National Harmony,” R. Panca Nur emphasized that culture is far more than heritage from the past or the identity of a single group—it is a unifying force capable of bringing people together across differences in ethnicity, custom, language, tradition, and social background.

“Indonesia possesses extraordinary cultural wealth, stretching from Sabang to Merauke. This diversity forms the very essence of our nationhood—something we must cherish, respect, and pass on to future generations,” R. Panca Nur stated.

“To uphold cultural harmony is to safeguard our shared space amid diversity. When every community honours one another’s customs, traditions, and identities, we are laying a strong foundation for national unity and harmony,” he added.

Three Days of Celebration and Unity

The three-day event is designed as a vibrant cultural gathering, bringing together communities, artists, traditional leaders, cultural groups, and people from all walks of life. Planned activities include:

– Cultural performances from across the archipelago
– Betawi martial arts showcases from all five administrative regions of Jakarta
– Public discussions on cultural preservation
– Traditional heritage exhibitions
– MSME bazaar
– Traditional healing services
– Commemoration of the first anniversary of the Cultural Awareness Movement

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Beyond being spectators, visitors are encouraged to actively participate, fostering the understanding that cultural preservation requires collective engagement and shared responsibility. The festival also seeks to introduce traditional arts and heritage to younger generations while expanding recognition for cultural practitioners.

Five Betawi Silat Traditions Showcase Jakarta’s Heritage

A highlight of the programme will be performances by five distinct Betawi silat (traditional martial arts) traditions representing each region of Jakarta:

– South Jakarta: Silat Beksi — host tradition
– West Jakarta: Silat Cingkrik
– Central Jakarta: Silat Sabeni
– East Jakarta: Silat Rompes and Ujung Bandul
– North Jakarta: Silat Sliwa

These disciplines embody not only physical skill but also core values of discipline, courage, mutual respect, and character formation. R. Panca Nur noted that such traditions represent a living body of knowledge and life wisdom—one that must be sustained through education, practice, regeneration, and ongoing creative expression.

Cultural Awareness in a Changing Era

The festival will also host a public discussion forum exploring the challenges of cultural preservation, the vital role of youth, and how timeless values can thrive within modern society. R. Panca Nur observed that cultural awareness extends far beyond wearing traditional clothing or attending ceremonial events.

“Cultural awareness is a way of life. It embodies mutual cooperation, empathy, consideration, respect for others, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence. These are the values we must keep alive in our daily lives,” he explained.

True harmony, he stressed, does not require everyone to think alike—it flourishes when differences are respected and every community feels secure in maintaining its own cultural identity without diminishing that of others.

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One Year of the Cultural Awareness Movement

The gathering will also mark the first anniversary of the Cultural Awareness Movement. R. Panca Nur reflected on the journey thus far, noting that building cultural consciousness demands commitment, exemplary leadership, and sustained collective effort. He urged the movement to grow beyond celebrations into tangible action—strengthening pride in local heritage, nurturing youth character, and deepening respect for Indonesia’s rich diversity.

“Culture belongs to all of us—not governments alone, nor any single group. Families, schools, communities, media, and every citizen share the responsibility to ensure our ancestral values endure and are passed on,” he said.

Culture and Economic Empowerment Hand in Hand

An MSME bazaar will form an integral part of the festival, linking cultural appreciation directly to economic vitality. Handicrafts, culinary heritage, and creative products rooted in local traditions will be showcased, demonstrating how cultural preservation can go hand in hand with community prosperity and self-reliance.

A Call to All Elements of the Nation

With the festival approaching, R. Panca Nur once again extended an open invitation:

“Let us reawaken our cultural consciousness. Let us safeguard our ancestral heritage, honour our diversity, and hand down the noble values of the archipelago to the generations to come. Let us maintain cultural harmony for the harmony of our nation—for an Indonesia that is united, peaceful, and dignified.”

Through this celebration, the Cultural Awareness Movement envisions culture not merely as a window to the past, but as the bedrock of a shared future—one where differences are cherished, human dignity upheld, and Indonesia remains united in all its beautiful diversity.