Ministry of Culture Applauds Jember Fashion Carnaval 2026 as a Driver of Creative Economy and Cultural Diplomacy
Bambang Wibawarta, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, attended the Grand Carnival, the peak event of the Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) 2026.
The event took place at Central Park in Jember city, East Java.
The Ministry’s presence reflects the government’s tangible support for the advancement of national culture, fashion innovation, and the strengthening of a tradition-based creative economy ecosystem.
Carrying the grand theme ‘HEAL: Human, Earth, Life’, JFC 2026, which involved more than 2,500 participants from various regions across Indonesia, successfully blended cultural values and fashion in a parade stretching 3.6 kilometres from the Alun-alun or Central Park area of Jember to the PKPSO Sports Hall in Kaliwates.
The participants presented eight defiles conveying messages of care for humanity, the earth, and life: Gaia, Roots, Noise, Conscience, Rebirth, Pandemic, White Guardian, and Sanctuary.
Bambang said that JFC demonstrates how culture, managed through the creativity of its people, can transform a region into an inspiration for Indonesian tourism and draw global attention.
Amid rapid change in an increasingly interconnected world, culture can serve as a strategic asset for the nation.
“JFC is not merely a fashion show; it is a stage of civilisation, a space where tradition and innovation meet, where cultural heritage is crafted into a universal language capable of uniting people regardless of national borders, language, or background,” Bambang said in a written statement on Monday (27 July 2026).
Bambang added that Indonesia is a country with the richest cultural background in the world.
This cultural wealth holds meaning if it is continually revitalised, reinterpreted, and realised in works that carry cultural, social, and economic value.
This, he said, is precisely what JFC has accomplished over the years.
On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang expressed appreciation to all organisers, artists, designers, craftspeople, volunteers, the Jember Regency Government, and the East Java Provincial Government, who have been the heartbeat of this creativity for many years.
“Going forward, we hope JFC will continue to develop as a space for cultural innovation, a centre for the birth of Indonesia’s creative talents, and one of the faces of Indonesian cultural diplomacy at the global level,” Bambang explained.
According to Bambang, the world can see Indonesia not only as rich in tradition, but also excelling in creativity, daring to innovate, and confident in showcasing its identity.
“Let us make every work a tribute to the nation’s cultural heritage, every act of creativity an energy for development, and every collaboration a bridge to make Indonesian culture ever more recognised and cherished by the world,” Bambang said.
JFC 2026, held from 24 to 26 July 2026, featured a variety of parades, from the Kids & Art Carnaval and the Wonderful Archipelago Carnival Indonesia (WACI) to the Grand Carnival.
The series of events also showcased eco-fashion innovations made from recycled materials as a symbol of commitment to environmental sustainability through works of art.
Bambang invited the wider public to continue supporting an inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystem capable of producing world-class works.
He expressed optimism that JFC would further strengthen Indonesia’s standing as a nation that is great because of its culture, advanced because of its creativity, and respected because of its identity.
The Ministry of Culture remains committed to supporting community-based festivals that can drive local economies while preserving the archipelago’s rich traditions.
JFC has become a benchmark for how public spaces can be optimised into stages for inclusive culture involving various elements of society.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Widiyanti Putri Wardana; the Consul General of Japan in Surabaya, Takonai Susumu; the Vice Governor of East Java, Emil Elistianto Dardak; and the Regent of Jember, Muhammad Fawait (Gus Fawait).
Accompanying Bambang were M Asrian Mirza, Special Staff to the Minister of Culture for Media and Public Communication; Abu Chanifah, Head of the Cultural Media Centre; and Endah Budi Haryani, Head of the East Java Cultural Preservation Office.