Fadli Zon Attends Cap Go Meh in Bogor, Emphasises Harmony and Cultural Acculturation
Culture Minister Fadli Zon attended Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh 2026, held from 1 to 3 March 2026 in the Suryakencana area of Bogor City, West Java. The annual festival, which has become an icon of Bogor’s culture, carries the theme “Harmony in Diversity” and again serves as a cross-cultural meeting space in the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
BSF Cap Go Meh 2026 features a parade of culture about 1 kilometre long, traditional performing arts, a culinary bazaar, and dragon and lion dances (liong and barongsai) performed by dozens of art groups and communities. As the closing part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the festival has evolved into a forum of cultural acculturation reflecting the harmony of Bogor residents.
In remarks, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said Cap Go Meh is tangible proof of Indonesia’s cultural strength in preserving unity amid diversity. “Cap Go Meh is proof that Indonesia, although we are different, still live in harmony. Differences are not a threat, but what binds us together,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (4/3/2026).
Fadli Zon added that the Cap Go Meh 2026 celebration, held in rainy conditions and coinciding with Ramadan, demonstrates the maturity of society in maintaining tolerance. The moment shows the natural acculturation process between local Sunda culture, Chinese traditions, and influences from various regions and nations.
He stressed that the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika must continue to be safeguarded as the foundation of national life. Cultural celebrations such as Cap Go Meh are expected not only to strengthen national identity but also to spur community economic growth and keep Indonesia safe and peaceful amid global dynamics.
“Hopefully this Cap Go Meh celebration makes us stronger as a nation, our culture more advanced, our economy grow, and Indonesia always in a safe state,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi expressed hope that the Cap Go Meh carnival will continue to reflect the unity spirit through the arts. He said art has the power to erase social barriers and bring about shared happiness. “May this carnival reflect our spirit that art unites people. With art we live without caste, with art we live with meaning and happiness. May the rain this time be a sign of blessings that will never end,” he said.
Separately, Bogor Mayor Dedie A. Rachim, as host, stated that this year’s Cap Go Meh celebration is a symbol of togetherness amid an unstable global geopolitical situation. He said Bogor City remains committed to safeguarding unity as the region’s main strength. “Alhamdulillah, togetherness in Bogor remains intact. Only with unity can we show that differences are nothing,” he said.
Chairperson of BSF Cap Go Meh 2026, Arifin Himawan, reported that this year’s programme also includes social activities, such as breaking fast together with 400 orphans and 200 disabled children. The committee also involves around 500 UMKM participants, estimated to generate economic circulation of between Rp700 million and Rp1 billion by the climax night.
“This Cap Go Meh celebration must benefit and sustain the people’s economy. This is the expression of tolerance that we continue to guard in Bogor,” he said.
Historically, Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh has been held for more than a decade and remains one of West Java’s flagship cultural programmes. This year the festival emphasised participation of Bogor City communities with traditional arts performances and cross-ethnic collaborations reflecting the acculturation of Chinese and Sundanese cultures.
During the event, the Nusantara Karisma Event (KEN) Certificate 2026 was awarded by Eni Komiarti, Head of the Promotion and Partnerships for Regional Event Implementation at the Ministry of Tourism, to Arifin Himawan, President of BSF Cap Go Meh 2026. Bogor Street Festival was officially selected as part of 125 Nusantara Karisma Events 2026, one of the Ministry of Tourism RI’s strategic programmes.
At that moment, Culture Minister Fadli Zon also flagged off the dragon and lion dances as the symbolic start of the cultural procession and the closing of the BSF Cap Go Meh 2026, which had run for three days.
Attending the event were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya; Member of Commission VII of the DPR RI, Ilham Permana; officials from the Ministry of Tourism; West Java Provincial DPRD; and the Bogor City and Regency administrations. Accompanying the Culture Minister were the Director of History and Museums, Agus Mulyana, and other officials from the Ministry of Culture.
Concluding the programme, the Culture Minister expressed hope that Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh would continue to be an inclusive cultural dialogue space and strengthen the nation’s character. He stressed the importance of preserving tradition as national identity and as a driver of a culture-based economy, so that harmony in diversity can be sustained from generation to generation.