Ambon Celebrates 451st Anniversary as Music City

RRI.CO.ID, Ambon – Ambon City celebrates its 451st anniversary on September 7, 2026. Beyond marking the city’s long history, the anniversary is also an opportunity to highlight Ambon’s identity as a City of Music and its role in bringing Maluku’s cultural richness to national and international audiences.

Ambon was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2019, making it part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The recognition has strengthened the city’s position as a hub for musical creativity while creating opportunities for local artists and communities to engage in cultural exchanges with cities around the world.

For the people of Ambon, music is more than entertainment. Singing traditions, choirs, local music communities, and various forms of musical expression have become part of everyday life and an important element of the city’s cultural identity.

The musical tradition is also being passed on to younger generations through various arts and music activities. One example is the jukulele competition held ahead of the city’s 451st anniversary, providing children and young people with a space to develop their talents while preserving Ambon’s musical heritage.

Jukulele is one example of how music can connect tradition with a new generation. The Ambon City Government sees the City of Music designation not merely as an international recognition, but also as a responsibility to strengthen the local creative ecosystem and nurture musicians capable of performing on national and international stages.

This year’s anniversary carries the theme “Ambon Bersih, Maluku Sehat, Indonesia Maju,” or “Clean Ambon, Healthy Maluku, Advancing Indonesia.” While emphasizing environmental cleanliness, public health, and progress, the spirit of the anniversary also complements efforts to strengthen creativity and culture as important elements of the city’s development.

As Ambon turns 451, the city has an opportunity to make music not only a symbol of its cultural identity, but also a bridge connecting Maluku with the wider world. Through songs, traditions, and the talents of its younger generation, the sound of Ambon continues to become part of Indonesia’s cultural story—one that can be heard far beyond geographical boundaries.