Fadli Zon Encourages Cultural Preservation Through Children's Traditional Games

JAKARTA - National Children's Day which is celebrated every July 23 is an important momentum to reaffirm the nation's commitment to guarantee optimal growth and development of children.

In 2025, this celebration will carry the spirit of cross-sectoral collaboration to create a safe, educational, and cultured space for Indonesian children. This year's celebration not only highlights children's rights, but also strengthens cultural values as the foundation of the character of future generations.

In commemoration of National Children's Day 2025, the Ministry of Culture together with a number of ministries and elements of society held various cultural-based public activities, one of which was through Car Free Day (CFD) which was held in the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout area, Central Jakarta, Sunday morning, July 20.

This activity is a tangible manifestation of introducing cultural values to children from an early age through a pleasant and participatory approach.

Also attending the event were the wife of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Selvi Ananda Gibran Rakabuming, and the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifatul Fauzia.

They interact directly with children who play various traditional games such as dragon snakes, mountain treads, and the intersection of people's games which are full of the meaning of togetherness and cooperation.

This traditional game is part of the ten Cultural Progress Objects (OPK) that must be preserved, developed, and utilized. Behind its simplicity, there are values of mutual cooperation, honesty, accuracy, and important responsibilities to be instilled in children.

The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, emphasized the importance of involving children in cultural conservation as a strategic step to build national identity.

"Children are the main pillars in the national cultural relay. The sooner they get to know the richness of the nation's culture, the stronger the character and identity of Indonesia they will bring to the future," he said.

As part of this activity, the Ministry of Culture presents an educational program "Panca Adventure" in the form of an interactive booth in the CFD area. This program tells the adventures of a child named Panca who explores various regions in Indonesia to recognize local culture such as regional dances, language, folklore, and traditional wisdom. Through animation, storybooks, performances, to creative workshops, children are invited to learn culture in a fun and interactive way.

National Children's Day is the right time to introduce programs such as Panca Adventure as a cultural literacy medium. In this way, we hope that more Indonesian children will know and love the diversity of the archipelago culture," added Fadli Zon.

The Ministry of Culture also invites parents, educators, the arts community, and the wider community to actively create a child-friendly cultural space. Culture is not only inherited, but must also be revived together in daily activities.

"In the era of globalization, it is important for the younger generation to have a strong understanding of their own culture. Cultural literacy is a shield as well as a bridge to build national unity and face the challenges of the times," concluded Fadli Zon.