National Awakening Day Reinforces Unity and National Culture

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Culture commemorated National Awakening Day at the Museum Kebangkitan Nasional on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The event was led directly by Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, and carried the spirit of unity, social solidarity, and the strengthening of national culture.

In his remarks, Fadli Zon, stated that National Awakening Day serves as an important moment to reflect on the spirit of national unity amid Indonesia’s diversity. He emphasized that the spirit of national awakening must continue to be preserved as the foundation for facing current global challenges.

According to Fadli Zon, Indonesia is a mega-diverse nation with more than 1,340 ethnic groups, 718 languages, and over 17,000 islands. He said that differences once exploited by colonial powers to divide the nation have now become a force that unites Indonesia.

“The commemoration of National Awakening Day 2026 is a call for all elements of society, from academics, practitioners, artists, cultural figures, to the younger generation, to reignite the spirit of Budi Utomo in every aspect of life,” Fadli Zon said.

He also encouraged the public to use the momentum of National Awakening Day to strengthen social solidarity and national culture. According to him, national development must always be oriented toward shared progress for all Indonesians.

“Let us use this momentum to strengthen social solidarity, to advance our national culture, and to ensure that every development policy remains oriented toward shared progress,” he said.

Furthermore, Fadli Zon, stressed that culture plays an important role as both the identity and strength of the Indonesian nation. He added that the government continues to promote the advancement of national culture as part of sustainable national development.

“National Awakening belongs to all of us, beginning with individual awareness, accumulated collectively, and ultimately leading to the nation’s glory on the global stage,” Fadli Zon conveyed.