RRI.CO.ID, Banten - Indonesia marked National Music Day 2026 with a call to strengthen the country’s music ecosystem and expand the global reach of Indonesian music. The commemoration took place in Serang, Banten, Monday, 9 March 2026 bringing together musicians, cultural figures, and government representatives.

Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon who attended the event and affirmed the richness of Indonesia’s musical heritage, from traditional to contemporary forms. He noted that collaboration among musicians, cultural practitioners, and the government is essential to strengthen the position of Indonesian music both domestically and internationally.

“Indonesian music, from tradition to contemporary forms, has enormous potential to grow,” Fadli said. “We hope the ecosystem will continue to improve through collaboration between musicians, artists, cultural figures, and the government at various levels.”

The minister highlighted Indonesia’s vast cultural diversity as a strong foundation for the development of music. With more than 1,300 ethnic groups and hundreds of traditional musical instruments, Indonesia holds immense potential to contribute to the global cultural landscape.

Fadli also described music as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy that can promote Indonesia internationally. According to him, the success of several Indonesian musicians on the global stage demonstrates the opportunity for Indonesian music to gain broader international recognition.

“We hope Indonesian music can become one of the frontliners of our culture in the international arena,” he said. “Like other countries that use music as soft power, we also hope to see an ‘Indonesian wave’ emerging from our music.”

Meanwhile, Teuku Riefky Harsya, stated in a video message that National Music Day provides momentum to strengthen the identity of Indonesian music while expanding its global influence. He said Indonesia’s cultural wealth and the creativity of its younger generation offer strong potential for the music sector to grow within the creative economy.

“Indonesian music has extraordinary cultural richness, creativity, and youthful energy to become a force in the creative economy and a source of soft power in the world,” he said.

Yassierli also highlighted the importance of music as both cultural expression and an economic driver. He stressed the government’s commitment to building a professional and inclusive creative industry ecosystem while ensuring that music workers receive proper labor protection and social security.

The event also featured remarks from Andra Soni, who noted that National Music Day honors the contributions of musicians and strengthens the role of music as a unifying force. The date, March 9, commemorates the birth of Wage Rudolf Supratman, the composer of Indonesia’s national anthem “Indonesia Raya.”