Imlek Festival 2577 Showcases Cultural Diplomacy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Imlek Festival 2577 at Lapangan Banteng is not merely a cultural celebration, but also a strategic step to promote Indonesia’s rich heritage on the global stage. The festival highlights the nation’s leading talents in the creative economy sector as part of its cultural diplomacy efforts.

The Chairperson of the Imlek Festival and Vice Minister of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Irene Umar, Sunday, 22 February 2026 said that the festival, themed “Harmony of Imlek Nusantara,” carries a strong message about Indonesia’s position in the international arena. She emphasized that Indonesia aims to strengthen its presence as an active player on the world stage.

“We want to convey that we are already present on the global stage. Indonesian talents are not only recognized at home; we are hosts in our own country and thriving internationally. That is the message we want to deliver,” Irene stated.

One concrete example of cultural diplomacy is reflected in the Indonesia Wave x K-Pop collaboration, which features joint performances by Indonesian talents and South Korean musicians. The collaboration symbolizes that Indonesia is more than a consumer market, but also a vibrant producer of creative works and talents appreciated worldwide.

According to Irene, the longstanding diplomatic relations between Indonesia and South Korea have opened broader opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the creative economy sector. Through the Imlek Festival stage, the creative economy is positioned as a cultural bridge connecting the two countries through art, music, and creativity.

The Chief Representative of Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Indonesia, Lee Gi Haun, also expressed hope for stronger and more sustainable collaboration between the two nations. He underscored the importance of expanding partnerships in music and the content industry.

Held during the holy month of Ramadan, Harmony of Imlek Nusantara also serves as a space for cross-cultural and interfaith reflection. The festival runs until March 3, 2026, featuring the Lantern Festival, Culinary Market, Arts and Creative exhibitions, an Open Museum of Chinese-Indonesian Cultural Acculturation, free health check-ups, film installations, and art performances.

The peak celebration will take place on February 28, 2026, showcasing mass barongsai (lion dances) and dragon dances, music performances, traditional dances, and appearances by national artists. Through Harmony of Imlek Nusantara, Indonesia affirms that cultural diversity and the creative economy can go hand in hand, delivering a message of cultural diplomacy to the world, while the festival remains open to the public free of charge from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.