Jakarta, July 21, 2026 – Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya, welcomed the Mitra Seni Indonesia (MSI) Arts & Bazaar Festival 2026, which showcases the potential of arts and culture as both a symbol of Indonesia's national identity and a driver of the creative economy. The Minister emphasized that the festival strengthens the creative economy ecosystem while reinforcing the importance of unity amid Indonesia's rich cultural diversity.
Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Teuku Riefky Harsya (right), visits one of the exhibition booths following the opening of the Mitra Seni Indonesia (MSI) Arts & Bazaar Festival 2026 at Graha Jalapuspita, Jakarta, on Tuesday (July 21, 2026).
"I am delighted to see this year's festival theme, 'Where Arts and Culture Meet the Economy.' It reflects the idea that culture is not only a heritage we preserve, but also a source of creativity that generates economic value and creates opportunities for communities. I would also like to express my appreciation to the organizing committee, artists, and visitors for actively supporting the creative economy ecosystem by purchasing local products," said Teuku Riefky at Graha Jalapuspita, Jakarta, on Tuesday (July 21).
Now in its fourth year, the annual festival invites the public to experience the richness of Indonesia's arts and culture while showcasing the transformation of the performing arts, crafts, fashion, culinary arts, and music into globally competitive creative products. Held over three days from July 21–23, 2026, this year's festival, themed "Rampak Melayu," features fashion shows, traditional music performances, dance performances, cultural discussions, and exhibitions involving approximately 90 booths representing creative economy practitioners. The event aims to reach up to 50,000 people through promotional activities and attract an estimated 1,000–1,500 visitors.
"This is precisely the spirit that we continue to promote at the Ministry of Creative Economy. President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has entrusted us with the mandate to increase investment, exports, job creation, and the contribution of the creative economy to the national economy. Therefore, we remain committed to strengthening the creative ecosystem through capacity building, improved access to financing, intellectual property protection, digital transformation, and expanded market access," Teuku Riefky emphasized.
Photo: Bureau of Communications, Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The Minister further highlighted that unlocking the full potential of Indonesia's creative economy requires the implementation of an inclusive hexahelix collaboration involving government, businesses, academia, financial institutions, communities, the media, and society at large. Such collaboration, he noted, is essential to producing competitive Indonesian creative works capable of succeeding in both domestic and international markets.
"The MSI Arts and Culture Festival is an annual event designed to provide a platform for creative expression for the arts groups under MSI, enabling them to continue creating and developing their talents. We also invite creative economy practitioners and various communities—including children with special needs who possess artistic talents—to participate and contribute to the vibrancy of this festival," said Sri Harmoko, Chair of the MSI Supervisory Board.
The 2026 MSI Festival is particularly significant as it coincides with the 499th Anniversary of Jakarta, National Children's Day, and National Kebaya Day. The Ministry of Creative Economy hopes that collaborative platforms such as this festival will continue to inspire innovation and further establish the creative economy as The New Engine of Growth for Indonesia's economy.
Accompanying the Minister at the festival opening were Deputy for Cultural Creativity and Design Yuke Sri Rahayu and Director of Visual Arts and Performing Arts Dadam Mahdar.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Communications Bureau
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
