JAKARTA - The government has officially designated July 26 as Indonesian Poem Day through the Decree of the Minister of Culture Number 167/M/2025. This determination was announced at the event Welcoming the Procession of Determination of Indonesian Poem Day, July 26 which took place at the Jakarta Theater Plaza, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Saturday, July 26 yesterday.
This momentum is not just a celebration but a form of state recognition for the role of poetry in the journey of national civilization. On July 26 it was chosen because it coincided with Chairil Anwar's birthday, the great Indonesian poet who laid an important milestone in the modern literature of the country.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said this determination was a form of appreciation for the work of the Poem Day Foundation which has consistently encouraged warnings since 2012.
"Puisi adalah eksaan budaya yang hidup sejak zaman lama hingga era modern. Ia merekam sejarah, membangun nasionalism, dan menumbuh sikap kritik," ujar Fadli Zon dalam keterangan resmi diterima VOI, Minggu 27 Juli.
The Minister of Culture added that the state should not ignore the heritage of literature. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture is committed to launching the Anugerah Sastra Indonesia program and laboratories for translating poetry into various languages. In closing his remarks, Fadli read the poem 'Diponegoro' by Chairil Anwar.
The head of the Language Agency, Hafidz Muksin, called this decision an important step for the sustainability of Indonesian literature. "We encourage synergies between the government, society, and the business world to protect and develop literary works," he said.
After reading the decision, a symbolic signing was carried out by Minister Fadli. A number of great poets attended and read poetry, including Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, Hasan Aspahani, Agus R. Sarjono, and Acep Zamzam Noor. Also present were Ecuadorian Ambassador Luis Arellano, as well as other literary and cultural figures.
Indonesian Poem Day is not a national holiday. But it is an important reminder that poetry is not just a work of art, but the breath of the nation. A medium that voices unrest, hope, and resistance. And now, poetry no longer only belongs to poets, but has also become part of the recognition of the state.
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