Involving 16 Countries, the Indonesian International Cultural Festival is Encouraged to Enter the World Calendar

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon receives artist and cultural activist Guruh Soekarnoputra at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (17/6). (IST)

JAKARTA - The Indonesia International Culture Festival (IICF) 2026 is preparing to be held on a larger scale. The international cultural festival which has been held for five years will present 400 participants from 16 countries and involve representatives from all continents.

The plan to hold IICF 2026 was discussed in a meeting between Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and artist and cultural activist Guruh Soekarnoputra at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (17/6).

As the IICF 2026 Patron Council, Guruh Soekarnoputra said the festival will take place on September 10-16, 2026 with a series of activities ranging from cultural parades, international dance festivals, cultural art performances, workshops, to sister school programs involving seven countries.

"This year, all continents have been represented in the festival's participation. We hope that the Indonesia International Culture Festival will be increasingly recognized as an official agenda of Indonesian culture that has an important position in the international cultural calendar," said Guruh.

According to Guruh, IICF not only becomes a cultural meeting space from various countries, but also has a direct impact on the community. The activity involves students, accompanying teachers, art communities, and encourages creative economic activities, including the rental and production of performance costumes.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon appreciates the consistency of the IICF which has been able to build an international cultural network in the last five years.

Fadli stated that the government supports the implementation of the festival and opens opportunities for cooperation in the next implementation through various schemes, including the Indonesian Fund.

In addition to discussing IICF 2026, Guruh also conveyed the plan to participate in art activities in Switzerland in August as well as a number of other creative initiatives, including fashion performances based on Indonesian art and culture.

For Indonesia, festivals such as IICF have a broader role than just art performances. In the midst of competition for influence between countries, culture is increasingly becoming an effective instrument of diplomacy to introduce national identity while expanding international networks.

Present at the meeting were among others, Color of Indonesia Founder Vivi Sandra Putri, Color of Indonesia Manager Tri, Director of Kinarya GSP Alex Hassim, and a number of officials from the Ministry of Culture.