Prabowo: Chinese New Year 2026 reflects Indonesia's identity as a great nation
Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the celebration of Chinese New Year 2577 Kongzili/2026 is not merely a cultural ceremony, but a moment of national significance that reinforces Indonesian unity amidst its diversity.
At the peak celebration event themed “Harmony of Chinese New Year Nusantara” held at Lapangan Banteng in Central Jakarta on Saturday evening, he delivered a speech of welcome delivered virtually.
“Chinese New Year is not merely a religious celebration; Imlek is a moment of national importance, brotherhood, and unity. The 2026 Chinese New Year celebration with the theme Harmony of Chinese New Year Nusantara reflects the identity of our nation as a great nation,” he said.
On this occasion, he extended greetings of Happy Chinese New Year 2577 to all members of society celebrating the occasion.
According to him, the 2026 Imlek Festival serves as an affirmation that Indonesia was not built by a single ethnic group or faction alone, but by all children of the nation.
The values of mutual cooperation (gotong royong), solidarity, and humanity reflected in the celebration were deemed by him to be the principal foundation for building Indonesia’s future that is just and dignified.
“This celebration affirms the values of mutual cooperation, solidarity, and humanitarian values. The 2026 Imlek Festival is a celebration that affirms that Indonesia was not built by a single ethnic group or faction alone but by all children of the nation,” he said.
He also highlighted the particular significance of Imlek this year, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadhan for the Islamic community.
He described this situation as Indonesia’s true face—different yet harmonious, diverse yet with a single shared purpose.
“Indonesia is a great nation. A great nation does not fear difference; rather, a great nation nurtures difference as strength,” he said.
According to the President, the staging of the 2026 Imlek Festival simultaneously across multiple cities such as Medan, Palembang, Batam, Bogor, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Pontianak, Singkawang, Makassar, and Manado serves as tangible evidence that Indonesian unity is not merely a slogan, but a living reality throughout the archipelago.
Concluding his remarks, Prabowo invited all members of society to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with optimism and courage, and with a determination to bring Indonesia to become a nation that is just, prosperous, and dignified.
He also expressed hope that the new year will bring blessings, health, peace, and fresh hope for all Indonesian people.