Jakarta, August 6, 2026 – Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, received the organizers of Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) 2026 at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office, Jakarta, Thursday (August 6). The meeting discussed the organization of JDW 2026, potential synergies with the Ministry of Creative Economy, and the strengthening of gastronomy as a means of promoting Indonesia’s creative economy internationally.
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, received an audience with the organizers of Jakarta Dessert Week (JDW) 2026 at the Ministry of Creative Economy office in Jakarta, Thursday (August 6, 2026).
The Minister of Creative Economy noted that JDW’s development demonstrates the significant potential of the culinary subsector to collaborate with other creative economy subsectors. Through a different theme each year, the festival is considered capable of fostering innovation while expanding the involvement of creative industry talents.
“This is an extraordinary idea because it is able to integrate chefs, industry players, the public, and the government within one ecosystem. Let us maximize coordination. If there are any needs that require facilitation, we are ready to connect with ministries, institutions, and relevant stakeholders so that Jakarta Dessert Week can create an even greater impact on the creative economy,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
During the meeting, the organizers presented the development of JDW, which is entering its eighth edition since it was first held in 2019. The festival, under the umbrella of Indonesia Dessert Week, has expanded to Medan and Bandung and is part of the GADO GADO Cultural Network, a network of various national creative festivals.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
JDW 2026 will be held from September 1–20, 2026, carrying the theme “Dangdut” as a representation of Indonesian popular culture. The theme will be translated into menu creations, visual identity, and a series of festival activities, including Industry and Media Gathering, City Takeover, Dessert Markt, and the Golden Swirl Awards 2026.
Co-Founder of Jakarta Dessert Week, Manpalagupta Sitorus, said this year’s event serves as a momentum to expand cross-subsector collaboration within the creative economy through a cultural approach that is closely connected to the public. According to him, the theme “Dangdut” was chosen as a medium to connect creativity in the culinary field with music, design, and art.
“Jakarta Dessert Week is no longer just about desserts. We want to build cross-subsector collaboration within the creative economy through themes that are closely connected to Indonesian culture. That is why we chose Dangdut as our inspiration, allowing culinary creativity to connect with music, design, and art. The support from the Ministry of Creative Economy is an important step toward expanding the impact of this collaboration,” said Manpalagupta.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
As a follow-up to the meeting, the Ministry of Creative Economy will explore coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce JDW through Indonesia’s diplomatic missions as part of national gastronomy promotion. The Ministry of Creative Economy is also exploring potential collaboration with the Directorate of Music to strengthen the implementation of the festival’s theme.
“Gastronomy can be part of Indonesia’s soft diplomacy. We can introduce Jakarta Dessert Week through our embassy network as part of the promotion of Indonesia’s creative economy. To further strengthen the festival’s theme, we are also ready to help connect them with the Directorate of Music so that cross-subsector collaboration can be carried out more effectively,” said the Minister of Creative Economy.
The meeting also discussed the idea of Jakarta Creative and Cultural Month, an initiative that would integrate various creative festivals into a shared promotional calendar. This initiative is expected to strengthen Jakarta’s position as a creative festival destination while expanding the exposure of Indonesian gastronomy through cross-subsector collaboration within the creative economy.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
