RRI.CO.ID, Klaten - Indonesia's Klaten Regency promoted reading culture through the Klaten Literacy Festival on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The event marked Klaten's 222nd anniversary and Indonesia's 2026 Independence Day celebrations.

The festival encouraged students and communities to strengthen literacy through reading and storytelling activities. It also supported Indonesia's vision of developing quality human resources toward Golden Indonesia 2045.

Klaten Regent Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo invited students and the wider public to develop reading habits. He emphasized that books remain the most reliable source of accurate information.

He said literacy should not depend entirely on digital devices. Reading books directly helps strengthen knowledge and critical thinking among younger generations.

"We learn through reading and storytelling so our literacy culture can continue improving. It should not depend only on gadgets, but encourage people to read directly because books remain the most accurate source of information. We hope this festival strengthens literacy culture and helps prepare future generations toward Golden Indonesia 2045," he said.

The festival also featured a six-minute mass reading session involving regional leaders and hundreds of students. Participants represented preschool, kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools across Klaten.

Based on the Klaten Library and Archives Office, the festival strengthens cooperation among government, educators, literacy communities, and businesses. It also promotes reading culture through educational and collaborative activities.

The Indonesian local government expects the festival to strengthen regional literacy and improve educational quality. Organizers also presented awards for winners of literacy competitions held throughout the program.