Pencak Silat Becomes An Inspiration For New National Gymnastics, Fadli Zon Calls It Beneficial For Physical And Spiritual

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon emphasized that pencak silat not only contains cultural values, but also provides great benefits for physical and mental health.

Through the launch of the Indonesian Cultural Gymnastics, which was initiated by the Directorate of Facilities and Cultural Infrastructure, the movements of pencak silat were adapted into a series of gymnastics that were easy to follow. This initiative is an effort to preserve culture as well as a way to encourage a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation.

Pencak silat contains many philosophy. Each movement not only strengthens the body, but also helps foster mental calm, improve focus, and hone self-control skills. The hope is that Indonesian Cultural Gymnastics can be widely known and become a positive habit for young people," said Fadli Zon.

He explained that this program is a tangible form of implementation of the mandate of Article 32 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution. The implementation of the Indonesian Cultural Gymnastics Festival is also in line with the goal of advancing culture, namely developing a creative industry and a culture-based industry in the community.

Fadli emphasized that cultural promotion does not only focus on protecting cultural heritage, but also includes development, utilization, and development. According to him, many developed countries place the cultural industry as one of the pillars of the economy and Indonesia must optimize these opportunities.

Cultivation is now not only to maintain the identity of the nation, but can also become an economic power and soft power. With the use of digital platforms, we have a great opportunity to introduce Indonesia's cultural wealth to the world," he added.

Cultural observer and Chairman of the Indonesian Bambu Crafts Foundation, Ki Jatnika Nanggamiharja, welcomed this initiative. He assessed that Indonesia has a very broad wealth of movement arts and can still be developed. Hopefully Indonesian Cultural Gymnastics will be a means to maintain the legacy of the ancestors that has existed for centuries," he said.

The head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency, Komjen Pol. Suyudi Ario Seto, also expressed his appreciation. He hopes that this gymnastics can increase the productivity and mental health of the younger generation, including the participants of the BNN rehabilitation program.

"The Indonesian Cultural Gymnast is a very good innovation. Hopefully it can be used to strengthen the physical and mental needs of our young people," he said.

The Indonesian Cultural Gymnastics Festival Program itself was initiated by the Indonesian Bamboo Crafts Foundation. This activity aims to preserve the noble values of the nation's culture as well as develop physical and spiritual potential through arts and traditional sports movements.

This dress combines elements of the Cimande Pencak Silat tradition with the Panaragan Movement, Indonesian Hijaiyah Gymnastics, and Pasulukan Gymnastics. The combination is believed to provide various benefits, ranging from improving neural functions, increasing body immunity, to strengthening the respiratory and digestive system.