Govt Submits Dangdut Music as Intangible Cultural Heritage to UNESCO

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Culture supports the Indonesian Association of Artists, Singers, Songwriters, and Musicians (PAPPRI) in consolidating the Indonesian music ecosystem ahead of National Music Day 2026.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that National Music Day is more than an annual ceremony; it is an opportunity to strengthen Indonesia's cultural identity through musical works across genres and regions.

"We strongly support efforts to continue reviving and advancing Indonesian music. National Music Day is celebrated on March 9th, which is the birthday of Wage Rudolf Supratman, the composer of the national anthem "Indonesia Raya." We are open to collaboration and support the planned agenda," he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Minister also welcomed the planned commemoration on March 9 in Banten and April 15 at Taman Ismail Marzuki. In a meeting with PAPPRI, Minister Fadli advocated for dangdut to be a key part of this year's celebrations.

This step aligns with the process of submitting dangdut as an Intangible Cultural Heritage to UNESCO. This effort involves various stakeholders, including the Indonesian Dangdut Music Artists Association (PAMDI).

If realized, UNESCO recognition would strengthen dangdut's position as a representative of Indonesian popular culture on the global stage. As part of cultural diplomacy, this strategy shows the government's aim to support traditional and well-liked music, not only its national heritage.

PAPPRI Secretary General Dwiki Darmawan said that PAPPRI initiated National Music Day on February 27, 1986, and has celebrated it every year since. National Music Day was officially established through Presidential Decree Number 10/2013 and is commemorated annually on March 9.

"National Music Day must continue as a cultural tradition and a beacon of hope for the strength of national music. As a professional organization, we feel responsible for ensuring this commemoration is not overlooked and remains aligned with national cultural policy," said Dwiki.

This year, PAPPRI has designed commemorations tailored to the Ramadan season. The culminating event on March 9 will take place at the State Building in Serang, Banten, and will involve PAPPRI Regional Leadership Councils (DPDs) from across Indonesia.

The event will showcase local talent with religious themes, including terbang gede is a traditional Islamic art form from the Banten Province that was developed in Serang and Pandeglang; genjring dzikr is a traditional art form with Islamic themes that combines chanting, prayers, and religious poetry accompanied by percussion instruments and developed in Subang and Ciamis; rudat is a traditional art form influenced by Islam that combines dance, prayer chanting, and martial arts or pencak silat; and shalawat, a form of prayer chanting.

The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to working with PAPPRI to foster music as a cornerstone of national cultural development and to make sure that National Music Day honors the diversity, creativity, and identity of Indonesian music. ***