Megawati to Inaugurate Renovated Istana Gebang in Blitar as Bulan Bung Karno Culminates
PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to inaugurate the renovated Istana Gebang in Blitar on Monday, 15 June 2026. The inauguration of the childhood home of Indonesia’s first president, Ir Soekarno, will be the culmination of the Bulan Bung Karno commemorations held by PDIP throughout June.
The renovation of Istana Gebang was carried out through a mutual cooperation effort by PDIP cadres as a form of respect and an effort to preserve the historical legacy of the nation’s struggle left by Bung Karno.
Secretary of PDIP’s East Java Regional Board, Deni Wicaksono, stated that Megawati, along with the party’s central board, will be in Blitar for two days, on 14-15 June 2026, to participate in a series of Bulan Bung Karno agendas.
“Bu Megawati and the PDI Perjuangan central board will visit Blitar on 14 and 15 June. On the 14th, we will together make a pilgrimage to Bung Karno’s Tomb, followed by a joint tahlil,” Deni said in a written statement on Sunday (14/6/2026). He conveyed this following the inauguration of sub-district branch committees across Lumajang Regency on Saturday (13/6).
The series of activities does not stop at the pilgrimage agenda. In the evening, a discussion forum will be held involving party cadres and the public to rediscover Bung Karno’s thoughts in addressing contemporary national challenges.
“In the evening, we will join colleagues in Blitar City to discuss and explore Bung Karno’s ideas and thoughts in the current context. The discussion will be guided by Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and Airlangga Pribadi, an academic from Airlangga University,” Deni said.
The peak of the activities takes place on Monday (15/6), with the inauguration of the Istana Gebang renovation by Megawati. According to Deni, the revitalisation of the historic area was carried out to make it more comfortable, educational, and attractive for visitors, especially the younger generation.
“Then on 15 June, we will together witness Bu Megawati inaugurate the renovation of Istana Gebang. We carried out the renovation to make it comfortable and welcoming for visitors, especially young people, so it can become an attractive destination,” Deni stated.
Deni added that one of the new attractions to be unveiled at the Istana Gebang complex is a statue of Bung Karno, which will be inaugurated alongside the opening of the renovated site. The presence of the statue is expected to strengthen the historical value of the area while serving as a space for public reflection to remember the life journey and struggle of the Proclamator.
“The most interesting part of Istana Gebang will be the inauguration of Bung Karno’s statue there. In the future, this will become a new place that the public can visit, besides making a pilgrimage to Bung Karno’s Tomb, to learn and remember the struggle of the Father of the Nation,” said the Deputy Speaker of the East Java Regional House of Representatives.
Deni emphasised that the renovation of Istana Gebang is not merely a physical upgrade of the building, but a form of respect for the historical traces and values of struggle bequeathed by Bung Karno to the Indonesian nation.
“This is a form of appreciation from us, the cadres of PDI Perjuangan. As a way of honouring Bung Karno, we worked together to renovate his childhood home,” Deni asserted.
Through the new face of Istana Gebang, PDIP’s East Java Regional Board hopes the area will develop into a space for education, culture, and historical learning capable of bringing the younger generation closer to Bung Karno’s thoughts, ideas, and national spirit.