Banda Aceh, 25 November 2025 — Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya encouraged the strengthening of a creative economy ecosystem in Aceh that is rooted in the region’s cultural wealth, among others through the GAYAIN (Indonesian Cultural Movement) Aceh 2025 Festival.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, meninjau booth pada acara Festival GAYAIN (Gerakan Kebudayaan Indonesia) Aceh 2025 yang berlangsung di Lapangan Blang Padang, Aceh, Selasa (25/11/2025).
“Culture is not merely a heritage, but an identity and a source of future economic potential. When nurtured, it becomes a reflection of our identity. When developed, it strengthens social cohesion, and when managed as products and experiences, it transforms into a creative economy,” said Minister Teuku Riefky on Tuesday, 25 November 2025.
Minister Riefky attended the festival directly at Blang Padang Square, Banda Aceh, which took place from 24 to 26 November 2025. The festival served as a platform to emphasize that Aceh’s culture is not just heritage but also a social strength and a foundation for competitive economic development, aligned with the Maulid Raya Festival of Culture.
The Minister also highlighted the festival theme, “Fragrancing Islam, Preserving Cultural Civilization”, which aligns with national creative sector policies that rely on cultural roots. Aceh is seen as possessing strong cultural capital, ranging from traditional music, literature, and crafts to culinary arts and embroidery motifs, reflecting both creative capacity and sustainable economic potential.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Over three days, GAYAIN Aceh 2025 showcased a wide range of traditional and contemporary arts performances: musicalized poetry, Nusantara poetry readings, traditional dances, and collaborative ethnic music ensembles. Various art studios, including Sanggar Saleum, Cit Ka Geunta, and Sukamosa music group, participated, underscoring Aceh’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions while fostering a local wisdom-based creative economy.
Minister Riefky further highlighted three strategic roles of a culture-based creative economy: safeguarding values and identity through creative products, creating sustainable and dignified economic opportunities, and strengthening socio-cultural ecosystems through cross-stakeholder collaboration—from religious leaders, academics, communities, and creative practitioners to government. GAYAIN Aceh 2025 is expected to transform cultural values into marketable creative products, generate employment, and increase regional economic value.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“By nurturing culture, we preserve our identity. By strengthening the creative economy, we prepare for the future. May GAYAIN Aceh 2025 mark a milestone in productive cultural development and establish Aceh as an epicenter of creativity in Indonesia,” said Minister Riefky.
During the visit, Minister Riefky was accompanied by Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, Deputy Mayor Afdhal Khalilullah, and officials from the Ministry of Culture, along with Deputy for Cultural Creativity and Design Yuke Sri Rahayu and several echelon II officials from the Ministry of Creative Economy.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
