Culture Minister Supports 2026 Vesak Celebration to Strengthen Living Heritage Narrative
Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture supports the planned 2026 Vesak celebration, which will take place on 31 May 2026 at the Borobudur Temple area in Central Java.
This support was conveyed by Culture Minister Fadli Zon when receiving the Central Board of the Indonesian Buddhist Community Representatives (Walubi) in the Mataram Room at the Ministry of Culture, Jakarta.
On this occasion, Fadli also appreciated the organisation of the Vesak celebration, which is not only a religious agenda but also an important part of strengthening cultural and spiritual values.
“We greatly appreciate Walubi’s plan for the Vesak celebration at Borobudur Temple. The Ministry of Culture consistently supports the implementation of this religious holiday, as it is part of a spiritual journey that aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s vision in making cultural heritage a living heritage,” said Fadli in a written statement on Monday (13/4/2026).
Furthermore, Fadli emphasised that the living heritage approach is an important foundation in efforts to protect, utilise, and develop cultural heritage sustainably.
He hopes that the Vesak celebration at Borobudur Temple can strengthen this narrative, including in the management of artefacts and the enrichment of historical information through museums.
“We continue to strengthen the living heritage narrative at Borobudur Temple, including regarding artefacts and the museum, which we have been continuously completing its narrative, including bringing some artefacts to the Pujon area and also the digitalisation documentation of books at Borobudur,” he said.
At the end of his remarks, Fadli hoped that the implementation of Vesak 2026 would have a positive impact. “We hope that the Vesak celebration along with all its series of activities can run successfully and provide positive impacts, both spiritually and culturally, for the wider community,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Vice Chair of the 2026 Vesak Celebration Committee, Karuna Murdaya, stated that the 2026 Vesak implementation will differ from previous years because the Vesak moment will fall at 15.44 WIB. Thus, the series of processions will start in the morning and continue with Dharmasakti as well as the release of lanterns at 19.30 WIB.
Walubi has also prepared several supporting agendas as part of the celebration series. Some of them include grave cleaning activities, social services, retrieval of the sacred Vesak fire or Dharma Fire in Mrapen, Grobogan, to the retrieval of sacred water in Umbul Jumprit, Temanggung.
For information, those present at this meeting included the Director General of Cultural Protection and Traditions, Restu Gunawan; Minister of Culture’s Special Staff for Inter-Agency Relations, Ismunandar; Acting 2026 Vesak, Bhante Srivisarn; and Vice Chair of the Committee, Carren Catherina.