JAKARTA – Indonesia is preparing to host its first national-level Chinese New Year celebration, a festival officials say is intended to strengthen cultural ties with China and bolster the nation’s creative economy. The inaugural event, slated to run from February 17 to March 3, 2026, will be centered at Lapangan Banteng in Jakarta, with parallel celebrations planned for cities across the archipelago, including Singkawang, Palembang, and Medan.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar emphasized the potential for deepened diplomatic exchange between Indonesia and China as a result of the festival. “I perceive that a deep understanding of cultures at the national level will promote diplomatic exchanges between the two nations,” Umar told Xinhua in a recent interview. She noted the importance of fostering understanding as bilateral cooperation expands across business, academic, and community sectors.
The festival program includes a variety of events designed to showcase Chinese culture and Indonesian creativity. These include lantern festivals, culinary and creative markets, an open museum exhibiting Chinese cultural acculturation, and the Nusantara Chinese New Year Parade. A large-scale bazaar, scheduled for February 22-March 1, will feature over 200 local brands, encompassing both food and non-food businesses.
Umar, who also chairs the National Chinese New Year Organizing Committee, highlighted the festival’s significance as it coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. For Umar, who is of Chinese descent, the elevation of the celebration to a national event holds particular personal meaning. “Here’s something very special and close to my heart,” she said. “This is an opportunity to showcase to everyone that, hey, let’s get together with love.”
Beyond its cultural impact, the festival is intended to provide a platform for Indonesian entrepreneurs and creators, supporting the nation’s creative economy. Umar referred to these entrepreneurs as “creative economy warriors,” emphasizing the importance of providing them with opportunities to connect with audiences and expand their businesses. She pointed to the incorporation of lion dance design elements into modern products, such as sneakers, as an example of how the creative economy can make traditional culture relevant to younger generations.
Umar expressed optimism that the festival would strengthen creative and economic cooperation between Indonesia and China, citing her own experiences visiting cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou as deepening her appreciation for cultural exchange and innovation. “China, as a country, has always been a destination for me to proceed back and learn,” she said. “Deeper understanding of cultures bonds people together.”
The Indonesian government is actively promoting inclusivity through creative public spaces, according to reports from ANTARA News. The national festival is part of a broader effort to foster a sense of unity and cultural harmony within the country. Officials have also extended a welcome to Chinese tourists, encouraging them to experience Indonesia’s cultural diversity firsthand. “When you come to Indonesia, we welcome you with open arms,” Umar said. “We’d like to highlight that to the world so that people will know us better, and then the blends could happen.”