Appreciation for Guardians of Custom and Local Tradition, Register Now!
Amid the onslaught of modernisation, there are still figures who faithfully safeguard ancestral heritage to keep it alive. They nurture customs, arts, and local traditions, including in Bali, even though they rarely receive a large stage.
Now, the hard work of these cultural guardians can gain national recognition through the DPD RI Awards 2026.
“Through the DPD RI Awards 2026, DPD RI hopes that more figures who have worked and contributed to society will receive appreciation while also becoming an inspiration for other regions,” DPD wrote in its official statement.
The event opens four award categories, and one of them is highly relevant for cultural preservationists, namely the Regional Cultural Preservationist category. This category targets individuals who actively preserve and promote regional culture.
“Awarded to individuals who have innovation in the development and preservation of regional culture and play an active role in promoting regional culture at national and international levels,” DPD explained.
The figures in question can take various forms. They range from drivers of traditional dance studios, customary leaders who maintain the sustainability of ceremonies and subak, to communities that actively introduce local culture to the national and international stage.
Not only the culture category, the DPD RI Awards 2026 also opens three other categories. The three are Non-formal Education/Out-of-School Education Innovator, Health Technology Innovator, and Independent Food Village Mover, plus Special Recognition Awards for figures with consistent contributions to their regions.
This award event was initiated by DPD RI Chairman Sultan B Najamudin as a form of respect for inspirational regional figures. According to him, many figures have been working and making real contributions but have escaped national attention.
“Through this event, DPD RI wants to emphasise that the strength of Indonesia’s development rests on the initiative and hard work of communities throughout the archipelago, not only on the central government and big cities,” Sultan said at the DPD Awards in 2025.
He considers that there are still many community figures who are drivers of regional change and progress in various strategic sectors, but have not received adequate appreciation.
“Several categories deserve to be given to regional people or regional figures whose contributions are quite significant,” he said.
For Bali, whose identity is so closely attached to custom and tradition, this momentum could be a valuable opportunity. The cultural guardians who have been moving silently now have a path to be more widely known.
Registration for the DPD RI Awards 2026 is still open until 21 August 2026 at 23.59 WIB. Nominate a guardian of custom and tradition in your area through awards.dpd.go.id/nominasi.