100 Kings Scheduled to Attend Nusantara Cultural Festival in Salatiga

More than 100 kings, sultans and traditional leaders from within and outside the country are scheduled to attend the 7th Nusantara Traditional Culture Festival in Salatiga, Central Java, from 24 to 28 July 2026. The chairman of the festival committee, Dance Ishak Palit, said in Semarang on Thursday that around 37 kings from abroad and nearly 80 kings from various regions in Indonesia have confirmed their attendance. Matra is an organisation that accommodates 267 kingdoms and sultanates in Indonesia, and has networks with kingdoms in other countries. Over the five-day event, the festival will feature various agendas, including a royal dinner and the first Princess of the Palace Festival. The highlight of the event will be the signing of the Salatiga Charter by the kings, sultans and traditional leaders, containing a joint declaration to strengthen the role of kingdoms and palaces in preserving the nation’s traditional and cultural values. ‘The resilience of the nation’s customs and culture lies in these kingdoms and palaces. That is why we are preparing the Salatiga Charter, which will be signed by all kingdoms together with government elements,’ he said during an audience with Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi to report on the activity. Dance, who is also the Speaker of the Salatiga City Regional House of Representatives, added that the Nusantara Traditional Culture Festival is now in its seventh edition. Previously, similar events were held in several regions, including Borobudur in Central Java, Bali, and Jambi. Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi welcomed and supported the festival and is scheduled to attend the series of events on 25 July 2026.