Megawati: Please My Children, To Like K-Pop Is Okay, But Don't Forget Indonesian Art

The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia who is also the chair of the PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the XLV 2023 Bali Arts Festival (PKB) in front of the Bali People's Struggle Monument, Niti Mandala, Denpasar, Sunday (18/6/2023). ANTARA/HO-PDIP

DENPASAR - The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, said that it was okay for young Indonesians to like Korean Pop (K-Pop) music or other foreign cultural arts, as long as they did not forget the arts and culture of the Nusantara.

"So children, please, you want to be happy with K-Pop, with Rock, with Hip-hop and so on, that's okay. But, don't ever forget and dislike our art, Great Indonesia," Megawati said in Denpasar as reported by ANTARA.

This was conveyed by Megawati at the opening ceremony of the 45th Bali Arts Festival in 2023 in Denpasar, Bali, Sunday (18/6).

The general chairman of the PDI Perjuangan is aware that currently the trend of foreign cultures continues to enter Indonesia and the most popular at the moment is K-Pop.

It is unavoidable for the younger generation to like modern music or art today, however, Megawati still reminds us of the importance of upholding the ancestral culture that exists in Indonesia.

The chairman of the Steering Committee for the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) also invited parents to educate their children to know and love Indonesian culture and arts from an early age.

According to her, this was done in an effort to instill love for the Motherland and pride as a nation that has personality in culture.

"Indonesian art and culture, which I say is very, not only rich but extraordinary. Make it soon, art and culture studios become a unitary movement for Indonesia who has a personality in culture," she said.

The General Chair of the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) DPP also emphasized that what she conveyed was not an anti-modernization attitude.

Megawati hopes that her words will remind the younger generation to appreciate and love art and culture in Indonesia first, before loving foreign cultures.

"I'm not anti, go ahead, follow modern civilization. But our nation's past is glorious, you know," said Megawati.