State Present by Giving Awards to Writers, Here are the Recipients of AKI 2025

JAKARTA - In the midst of rapid changes, there are people who choose to survive. Not with nostalgia, but with long devotion that has been carried from generation to generation. They are the Masters of Traditional Art, figures who maintain Indonesian culture through life and perseverance.

In the Indonesian Cultural Awards (AKI) 2025 Phase III, the Traditional Art Maestro category was given to Tobani Rinyo Tiku, Siti Rahela, B. Blawing Belareq, M. Din, and Sangkeh. They are senior figures who have dedicated their lives to traditional arts and culture in their respective regions, covering traditional crafts, dance art, Dayak customs, Didong Gayo art, to Sunda oral literature. Their perseverance and dedication are considered an important foundation for the sustainability of cross-generational cultural knowledge.

The 2025 Indonesian Cultural Award Phase III was held by the Ministry of Culture at Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 17, with the theme of Renjana as a Cultural Driver. This stage is the culmination of the country's award to cultural activists through eight categories of appreciation.

In addition to the maestros, the special Satya Budaya Narendra award was given to Jaya Suprana, Pieter F. Gontha, I Nyoman Wenten, Sunaryo Soetono, singer Elvy Sukaesih, Ary Ginanjar, and historian Prof. Dr. Anhar Gonggong. This award is given to cultural figures who are considered to have a wide impact on their struggles, services, and the results of their work in the advancement of Indonesian culture.

In the Literature category, awards were given to Godi Suwarna, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, and D. Zawawi Imron. Their works have enriched the Indonesian literary treasure, both through regional languages and Indonesian, and emphasized the role of literature as a medium for preserving language, identity, and human values in the midst of changing times.

The category of Preserver was awarded to Uswatun Hasanah, Ika Arista, Felix Edon, Yohana, and Iswati Fersida for consistency in maintaining the sustainability of cultural heritage through direct practice, inheritance of knowledge, and regeneration.

For the Pioneer and/or Innovator category, it was given to Muhammad Ridwan Alimuddin, Didin Ahmad Zaenudin, Mustafa Mansur, Moch. Awam, Yusri Saleh, Agus Dermawan Tantono, and Tegal Art Village for their initiatives and breakthroughs in reviving, documenting, and transforming cultural practices to remain relevant and have a wide impact.

In the Media category, awards were given to Nopri Ismi (Rumah Sri Ksetra), K. Sudirman, S.H. (Jaya Baya), and Rina Prabawati (JTV) for the role of the media in documenting and disseminating culture. The Children's category was given to Aliya Sakina Murdoko, Adhyastha Swarna P. M., and Janessa Shanne Putri, while the Indigenous Community category was awarded to Baris Sitanggang, Sutomo, Eko Warnoto, Bambang Sutrisno, and Usif Raja Namah Benu as activists and guardians of the way of life of the indigenous community.

"Through the Indonesian Cultural Award 2025, the Ministry of Culture emphasizes its commitment to recognizing and facilitating cultural actors who have dedicated themselves to the advancement of Indonesian culture," said Aliya Sakina Murdoko.