Jakarta, 28 February, 2026 — The peak celebration of Harmoni Imlek Nusantara–Imlek Festival 2026 was held vibrantly at Lapangan Banteng, Jakarta, on Saturday evening (28/2). Embracing the spirit of unity in diversity, the event successfully contributed to strengthening a people-centered economy.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar delivered remarks at the peak celebration of Harmoni Imlek Nusantara–Imlek Festival 2026, held at Lapangan Banteng, Jakarta, on Saturday (28/02/2026).
This year’s national Lunar New Year celebration was particularly special as it coincided with the month of Ramadan. In addition to Jakarta, the series of celebrations was also held in various regions across Indonesia.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, stated that the overarching theme of Harmoni Imlek Nusantara reflects Indonesia’s identity as a great nation—diverse in character, strong in unity, and steadfast in togetherness.
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“The Imlek Festival 2026 is a celebration that affirms that Indonesia is not built by a single ethnic group or a single community, but by all of its people. This Lunar New Year celebration carries profound meaning, as it coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. This is the face of Islam in Indonesia—different yet harmonious, diverse yet united in purpose,” said Prabowo.
He further emphasized that the Lunar New Year celebration not only preserves cultural traditions, but also strengthens the values of mutual cooperation, solidarity, and humanity.
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He also stated that Indonesia’s level of social harmony in 2025 reached the highest achievement in the nation’s history.
“Harmoni Imlek Nusantara serves as a platform to celebrate diversity as well as a step in cultural diplomacy to introduce the richness of the archipelago and strengthen the position of Indonesian talent on the global stage. In 2025, it was also recorded in the index that Indonesia’s level of harmony reached its peak in the nation’s history,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar noted that the Lunar New Year carries a meaning far greater than merely a change of calendar in Chinese tradition, but rather symbolizes renewed hope for building a better life.
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Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya, who was present at the celebration, stated that Harmoni Imlek Nusantara is not only a cultural celebration, but also a strong reflection of the values of acculturation, tolerance, and national unity. Amid Indonesia’s diversity, the Lunar New Year becomes a space for the collaboration of tradition, creativity, and the spirit of togetherness, enriching the national identity.
“This momentum also demonstrates how the creative economy grows from cultural harmony. The diversity of Lunar New Year-themed culinary, fashion, craft, performing arts, and digital content highlights the immense potential of creative subsectors as drivers of the economy as well as instruments of cultural diplomacy. Notably, this year’s Lunar New Year celebration also coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. This is a tangible manifestation that diversity is strength, and unity is the primary capital toward a more advanced, prosperous, and dignified Indonesia,” he stated.
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Harmoni Imlek Nusantara was enlivened by a variety of activities, including the Lantern Festival, Culinary Market, Arts & Creative showcases, Open Museum: Chinese Cultural Acculturation, and the Nusantara Lunar New Year Parade.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy and Chair of the Harmoni Imlek Nusantara Committee, Irene Umar, stated that the celebration represents a tangible form of cultural acculturation.
“This is a form of storytelling that the world needs to see, as we can become an inspiration globally. What we witness here is acculturation—the acculturation of Indonesian culture—and through the nation’s creativity, this process can generate a remarkable new engine of growth,” she said.
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Throughout the seven days of its implementation, the festival also featured diplomatic exchanges with China and South Korea as a form of international friendship.
A total of 200 MSMEs participated, while social initiatives successfully raised donations amounting to IDR 116 billion, which will be distributed to disaster victims and various social foundations. The festival also recorded a world achievement through the serving of 5,000 portions of Ketupat Cap Go Meh.
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The Imlek Festival 2026 was also held in several cities across Indonesia, including Medan, Palembang, Batam, Bogor, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Pontianak, Singkawang, Makassar, and Manado.
As a national celebration, Harmoni Imlek Nusantara–Imlek Festival 2026 reaffirms Indonesia as a great nation capable of embracing differences as a shared strength. The festival is not only a cultural stage, but also a symbol of unity, a platform for cross-community collaboration, and a driving force for a people-centered economy. Through the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, Harmoni Imlek Nusantara stands as a reflection of an inclusive, tolerant, and forward-looking Indonesia.
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Also in attendance at the celebration were Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Gibran Rakabuming, Chair of the National Economic Council Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Vice Chair of the National Economic Council as well as Vice Chair of the Advisory Council Mari Elka Pangestu, Chair of the Judicial Commission Abdul Chair Ramadhan, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Chair of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia Sutan Bachtiar Najamudin, and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Indonesia Wang Lutong, along with several Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
