Minister Fadli Zon Launches Gala Cerita Rakyat to Preserve Indonesian Folklore Through Oral Tradition

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the Gala Cerita Rakyat Indonesia 2026 programme represents a step towards appreciating and preserving the nation’s wealth through oral tradition, whilst simultaneously igniting a culture of storytelling. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, he said, ‘This activity is a momentum to appreciate works, care for the nation’s identity, and preserve oral tradition as an object of cultural advancement.’ He expressed hope that the event would support the resilience of the nation’s future generations. ‘I believe that when they grow up, we will have a more complete and resilient generation, and that is why we are starting with Gala Cerita Indonesia,’ he remarked. He is convinced that the folk tales Indonesia possesses can convey good values to children and teenagers. Scientifically, he added, stories can serve as nourishment for the brain and shape a child’s character and imagination. Gala Cerita Rakyat Indonesia is a programme that encourages the public to recognise, narrate, and re-document folk tales through a digital approach. The submission period for works ran from 20 April to 20 May 2026, with participants sending in videos of themselves telling folk tales using mobile phones, sharing them on social media, and registering their works on the Gala Cerita Rakyat Indonesia website. The programme successfully reached 30 provinces across Indonesia, with a total of 1,737 works submitted by 2,797 participants from various age groups and backgrounds. Through this programme, folk tales from various regions are not only documented and reintroduced to the public but also given a broader space to be accessed by the current generation. Gala Cerita Rakyat Indonesia serves as a platform for families, educators, cultural activists, communities, and young people to participate in sustaining oral tradition as part of Indonesia’s cultural wealth. The organisation of Gala Cerita Rakyat Indonesia 2026 is part of the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to strengthening the preservation of folklore through an approach that is adaptive, participatory, and relevant to technological developments and contemporary society.