Bukittinggi Welcomes Delegations from 38 Nations for IMLF and Centenary of Jam Gadang
The Bukittinggi City Government in West Sumatra is preparing to welcome delegations from 38 participating nations for the 2026 International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF), which is organised alongside the centenary celebrations of the Jam Gadang clock tower.
Speaking in Bukittinggi on Thursday, the Chair of IMLF, Sastri Bakry, expressed appreciation to the Bukittinggi City Government and all collaborating parties, including academics, literacy activists, media, volunteers, and ambassadors from various countries. “Jam Gadang is not merely an inanimate object or a timekeeper; it has revitalised the spirit of literacy, culture, and collaboration. Through IMLF, global attention is being directed towards Bukittinggi,” she stated.
The Mayor of Bukittinggi, Ramlan Nurmatias, noted that Bukittinggi is a historic city that has played a vital role in the journey of the Indonesian nation. Since its founding date was established on 22 December 1784, Bukittinggi has developed as a centre for trade, education, struggle, and civilisation in Minangkabau. “The history of Bukittinggi records not just the journey of a city, but the journey of a nation—from the Padri War era to the development of trade and education hubs, and the emergence of great national figures such as Indonesia’s Proclamator, Mohammad Hatta,” he said.
He further mentioned that the 100th anniversary of Jam Gadang is not merely a commemoration of a building’s age, but a momentum to strengthen cultural diplomacy, preserve history, and introduce Bukittinggi as a historical city and a global tourist destination. Through the Integrated City Planning (ICP) programme under the National Urban Development Project (NUDP), the administration aims to transform Bukittinggi into a modern, inclusive, and sustainable city while maintaining its character as a heritage, tourism, and struggle city.
West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi, while welcoming the delegates from 38 nations on Wednesday night, remarked that the 202_6 International Minangkabau Literacy Festival is particularly special as it coincides with the centenary of Jam Gadang. He noted that the Minangkabau people possess a strong literacy tradition through the philosophy of ‘alam takambang jadi guru’ (nature as a teacher), which has produced many national figures in education, literature, and nationalism.
“The theme of IMLF 2026, ‘The 100 Years of Jam Gadang: From Literacy to Legacy, Building World Peace and Sustainability Learning,’ is highly relevant to contemporary challenges,” he said. He emphasised that literacy is no longer just the ability to read and write, but the capacity to understand change, build civilisation, strengthen peace, and create sustainable prosperity. He asserted that literacy serves as the primary foundation for developing superior human resources amidst the advancements of digital technology and artificial intelligence. “IMLF serves as a platform to build global networks, strengthen international friendships, and introduce the noble values of Minangkabau culture to the world,” he concluded.