JAKARTA - Indonesian Poetry Day 2026 is the first celebration after it was officially included in the national cultural agenda. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that this commemoration must be followed by real work to strengthen the literary ecosystem.
Fadli was present at the 2026 Indonesian Poetry Day Celebration at Graha Utama, Building A, the Complex of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday, July 26.
This event was held by the Poetry Day Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. This year, the celebration carries the theme "Thickening the Meaning of Everything".
Fadli said the Ministry of Culture supports the implementation of Indonesian Poetry Day as a form of respect for poets. The commemoration on July 26 is also associated with Chairil Anwar's contribution to the development of modern Indonesian literature.
According to Fadli, the government has prepared a number of programs to strengthen literature. These programs include a literature translation laboratory, a literature promoter laboratory, the translation of Indonesian literary works into foreign languages, the strengthening of festivals and literary communities, the management of national talent in the field of literature, the development of literature based on intellectual property or IP, and the promotion of Indonesian literature at the international level.
"The Ministry of Culture continues to be committed to making various efforts to encourage the development of the literary ecosystem through various programs and activities in order to support the strengthening of the literary ecosystem," said Fadli.
He said that the advancement of culture is a constitutional mandate. Its implementation, said Fadli, cannot be solely imposed on the central government.
Fadli said that local governments, communities, cultural actors, the education world, and the private sector needed to be involved. Collaboration is needed to strengthen national culture, including literature as one of the objects of cultural development.
Fadli also said the government wanted to encourage the birth of new poets, writers, and writers. They are expected to get recognition at the national and international levels through talent development and development programs.
"We want more new poets, writers, and writers to be born who can achieve high artistic achievements and also reach the international level," said Fadli.
Deputy Chairman of the Poetry Day Foundation, Danny Santoso, said the 2026 Indonesian Poetry Day Celebration had a special meaning because it was the first celebration after receiving official recognition from the state.
According to Danny, the struggle for more than 13 years is not only for the benefit of the foundation. He called it an effort to glorify poetry as one of the crowns of national culture.
Danny hopes that Indonesian Poetry Day will belong to the public at large. He wants this celebration not only to live in the literary community, but also in schools, colleges, cultural centers, libraries, local governments, and the community.
The celebration of Indonesian Poetry Day 2026 was filled with the screening of a video of the history of Indonesian Poetry Day, the reading of poems by national and international figures, the musicalization of poems, a talkshow themed "Chairil, Poetry and Nationalhood", and video messages from foreign poets.
At the event, Fadli handed over the Adiluhung 2026 Poetry Award to the poet from Aceh, Lesik Kati Ara. The award was given for his dedication and contribution to the development of Indonesian literature.
Also present were the Ambassador of Ecuador to Indonesia Luis Guillermo Arellano Jibaja, Head of the Language Development and Training Agency Hafidz Muksin, Special Staff to the Minister of Culture for Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations Nisa Rengganis, Vice President of Business Development & Networking PT Jawa Pos Multimedia Emar Pasha Amangku, President of Indonesian Poets Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, as well as artists, cultural figures, writers, poets, academics, and literacy activists from various regions.
Fadli hopes that Indonesian Poetry Day will continue to be a space for literary appreciation and produce more new talents from various regions.
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