Denies "Cocochlogy", Palace Reveals Cultural Day October 17 Cultural Input

Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi. (Between)

JAKARTA - Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi said the stipulation on October 17 was a Cultural Day based on input from cultural observers, artists, and traditional actors, not because of "matching".

Hasan said the input emphasized the importance of a momentum to appreciate the role of culture in the nation's development.

"The results of our communication with the Ministry of Culture, that this is input from culturalists, art workers, traditions, who feel it is important to set a date as a cultural day to appreciate culturalists, traditions, traditional art actors so that they are not only remembered, but also to get a place in the sustainability of our nation's development," he said in a press statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, July 16, quoted by Antara.

Hasan said the decision could not be separated from a historical study that placed October 17 as an important moment in recognition of Indonesian cultural diversity.

He explained that the date refers to the issuance of Government Regulation Number 66 of 1951 concerning the State Emblem, which stipulates the national symbol of Garuda Pancasila as well as inaugurating the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" as an inseparable part of the symbol.

The government considers this moment as the peak of recognition of the diversity of Indonesian culture.

"According to a study submitted to the Ministry of Culture, this is the peak of recognition of our diversity as a pluralized nation, including the diversity of our culture, and this is the reason," he said.

In the process of determining Cultural Day, there were several other dates that had been proposed, such as May 2 and May 20, but 17 October was chosen because they had not intersected with other national warnings and had a strong historical basis.

Hasan emphasized that the election date was not based on "matched", but rather the results of legal considerations, history, and input from the cultural community.

"People who commemorate October 17 as Cultural Day, may. People who commemorate October 17 as a person's birthday as well, are also allowed. So we start learning to avoid 'matching' and 'cheating brain'," Hasan concluded.