How To Be Exciting To Recognize The Spirit Of Heroes' Struggle Through Board Games To Songs

Press conference Irama Pahlawan in Jakarta. (Dinno/VOI)

JAKARTA - Appreciating the services of heroes is not only about remembering the past, but also about instilling the values of struggle in the next generation.

In this modern digital era, the biggest challenge is how to foster love for the country and the spirit of nationalism among young people through the media that is close to their daily lives.

The current generation needs to feel the fighting spirit of the heroes remains relevant and can be revived through creativity, collaboration, and innovation. For example, what was done by McDonald's Indonesia in an effort to increase the spirit of Nationalism of the Young Generation through the Song Pahlawan' and the Educational Game

Program ini menghadirkan lagu bernuansa pop dengan sentuhan modern yang dirancang untuk menyebarkan pesan heroisme secara ringan dan menikmati.

Over the past five years, McDonald's Indonesia has consistently launched a nationalism-themed education program. Starting from the 3D figure of Bangun Bangsa Toy with a QR Code in 2021, to the launch of the Women's Heroes version on Kartini Day 2022.

That same year, a microsite Pahlawan around us was also launched which can be accessed by scanning the name of the road or memorial, as well as a scanning feature of the M logo on the packaging to watch the stories of the heroes.

This innovative program continues in 2023 through Pahlawan Tourism, a virtual experience using Augmented Reality technology in the Drive Thru area. Then in 2024, McDonald's invites the public through national hero-themed cosplay activities in various public places, such as the TMII Military Museum and the Car Free Day Sudirman Thamrin area.

This ongoing effort received appreciation from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. The government considers cross-sectoral collaboration like this as an important step to increase cultural awareness and history in the younger generation in the midst of the flow of modernization.

Our current challenge is how to package history in languages and medium close to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Music and technology can be an effective bridge. This initiative, such as the song Irama Pahlawan, should be appreciated," said Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

The song Pahlawan' contains excerpts from the message and enthusiasm of Indonesian warrior figures, presented in a pop song format that is easy for young people to digest. McDonald's Indonesia believes that a heroic spirit can be instilled creatively, without eliminating the essence of struggle.

"Through the drama of Heroes, we want to provide a new way to understand the spirit of the nation's struggle. Music is a medium that can unite and inspire the pride and love of the country," said Caroline Kurniadjaja, Associate Director of Marketing McDonald's Indonesia.

In its creative process, this song was produced with Antea Turk, a young singer who is the great-grandson of the Indonesian national anthem, WR Soepratman. This collaboration between generations shows how the value of struggle can be revived through works of art.

"I am proud to be able to participate in introducing the spirit of heroism through music. Hopefully this work can inspire young people to get to know the heroes better," said Antea.

In addition to songs, games in the form of Board Games are also presented so that stories to the struggle of heroes are easier to recognize. The Fun Family Package Game Hero Edition which is designed to introduce the story of the struggle of the nation's leaders through five challenging zones that add both educational and exciting elements to play with family.

The launch of the 'Pahlawan Rhythm' also involved the Indonesian Historia Community (KHI) and the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), including activities to color the theme of heroes for community children, as a further effort to raise awareness of history from an early age.

Asep Kambali, a historian and founder of KHI, appreciated McDonald's's move in presenting a new way of learning history.

"Learning history doesn't have to be boring. With a creative approach like this, the value of struggle can be felt in everyday life," he said.

The video for the song 'Pahlawan' can now be watched on the McDonald's Indonesia YouTube channel. Meanwhile, the Board Game: Hero's Story can be obtained through the purchase of the Excitement Family Package of Heroes Edition which is available until January 2026.