Culture Minister and PAPPRI Discuss National Music Day, Dangdut Proposed for Performance
Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon received a delegation from the Association of Singers, Songwriters, and Musicians of the Republic of Indonesia (PAPPRI) at the Ministry of Culture offices in Jakarta. The meeting discussed plans for the 2026 National Music Day (HMN) commemoration, which will be held across several regions with an emphasis on collaboration and the strengthening of national culture.
During the audience, PAPPRI Secretary-General Dwiki Darmawan explained that PAPPRI initiated National Music Day 30 years ago, specifically on 27 February 1986. He noted that PAPPRI has consistently maintained the commemoration for more than two decades.
“National Music Day must continue to be preserved as a cultural moment, as a beacon of hope for the strength of national music. As a professional organisation, we feel responsible for ensuring this commemoration is not overlooked and remains aligned with national cultural policy,” said Dwiki in a written statement on Monday (23/2/2026).
National Music Day was officially established through Presidential Decree Number 10 of 2013 and is commemorated every 9 March. This year, PAPPRI has designed a series of commemorative events aligned with the Ramadan period. The main celebration on 9 March will be centred at the State Building in Serang, Banten, involving PAPPRI Regional Executive Boards (DPD) from across Indonesia.
The event is planned to feature various local talents performing religious-themed music, including Terbang Gede, Genjring Zikir, Rudat, and salawat, as part of efforts to showcase the richness of regional musical expression within the national commemoration.
Fadli Zon expressed his support for PAPPRI’s initiative in revitalising the national music ecosystem.
“We strongly support efforts to continue revitalising and advancing Indonesian music. National Music Day, commemorated every 9 March, coincides with the birthday of Wage Rudolf Supratman, the composer of Indonesia’s national anthem, Indonesia Raya. We are open to collaborating and supporting the planned agenda,” said Fadli Zon.
Fadli also welcomed plans for the National Music Day celebrations to be held on 9 March in Banten, followed by an event on 15 April at Taman Ismail Marzuki. He encouraged the inclusion of dangdut music in the celebration series, in line with the ongoing process of nominating dangdut as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
According to Fadli, these efforts are being prepared in conjunction with various stakeholders, including the Indonesian Dangdut Music Artists Association (PAMDI).
The audience was also attended by Deputy Culture Minister Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Director-General of Cultural Development, Utilisation, and Guidance Ahmad Mahendra, Director of Film, Media, and Arts Saifullah, Special Staff to the Culture Minister for Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations Annisa Rengganis, as well as PAPPRI board members.
The Ministry of Culture affirmed its commitment alongside PAPPRI to continue strengthening music as one of the pillars of national cultural advancement, whilst ensuring National Music Day serves as a strategic moment for celebrating the diversity, creativity, and identity of Indonesian music.