Jember Fashion Carnaval 2026 Followed by 2,500 Participants, Parade Stretching 3.6 Kilometers

JEMBER - Jember Fashion Carnaval or JFC 2026 is back as a big stage for culture and fashion. More than 2,500 participants performed in the Grand Carnival which stretches 3.6 kilometers in Jember City, East Java, Sunday, July 26.

The peak event took place from the Alun-alun area or Central Park Jember to the PKPSO Kaliwates GOR. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang Wibawarta, was present on behalf of the government in the activity.

JFC 2026 carries the big theme "HEAL: Human, Earth, Life". This theme is translated into eight defiles, namely Gaia, Roots, Noise, Conscience, Rebirth, Pandemic, White Guardian, and Sanctuary.

Each defile carries a message about concern for humans, earth, and life. The parade also features fashion works that combine cultural elements, creativity, and environmental issues.

Bambang said JFC is an example of how a culture managed with creativity can turn an area into a tourist and cultural center of attention.

According to Bambang, in the midst of rapid changes in times and a world that is increasingly connected, culture can become an important capital for Indonesia.

"JFC is not just a fashion show, it is a stage of civilization, a space where tradition and innovation meet, where cultural heritage is processed into a universal language that can unite people without knowing the boundaries of countries, languages, and backgrounds," said Bambang.

He said Indonesia has a very rich cultural background. This wealth, said Bambang, will be meaningful if it continues to be revived, reinterpreted, and embodied in works that provide cultural, social, and economic value.

Bambang assessed that this was already visible in the JFC journey. This festival not only features large costumes and long parades, but also involves artists, designers, craftsmen, volunteers, local governments, and the community.

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang expressed his appreciation to the organizers, the Jember Regency Government, the East Java Provincial Government, and all parties who have kept JFC alive for years.

"In the future, we hope that JFC will continue to grow into a space for cultural innovation, a center for the birth of Indonesian creative talents, as well as becoming one of the faces of Indonesian cultural diplomacy at the global level," he said.

Bambang said the world could see Indonesia not only rich in tradition, but also daring to innovate and confidently display its cultural identity.

JFC 2026 takes place on July 24-26, 2026. The series of events includes Kids & Art Carnaval, Wonderful Archipelago Carnival Indonesia or WACI, to Grand Carnival.

This year's festival also presents eco-fashion made from recycled materials. The work is part of the message of environmental sustainability through art and fashion.

Present at the event were Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardana, Japanese Consul General in Surabaya Takonai Susumu, Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elistianto Dardak, and Jember Regent Muhammad Fawait.

Also present were Special Staff to the Minister of Culture for Media and Public Communication M. Asrian Mirza, Head of the Cultural Media Agency Abu Chanifah, and Head of the East Java Cultural Preservation Agency Endah Budi Haryani.

The Ministry of Culture expressed support for community-based festivals that are able to move the local economy while taking care of the Nusantara tradition.