Preserving Bung Karno's Legacy
The commemoration of Bung Karno Month this year demonstrates how Soekarno’s legacy is being translated into the context of modern Indonesia. Art serves as a space for historical dialogue, museums become places to nurture collective memory, film acts as a medium to build national spirit, while Nusantara cuisine revitalises the idea of food sovereignty.
Through an approach closely connected to people’s lives, Bung Karno Month 2026 is expected to strengthen nationalism while inspiring the younger generation to understand and continue the struggle values of the Proclamator. The series of events includes the “Mata Hati Soekarno” exhibition, a public screening of the film “Ghost in the Cell”, the 2026 Bung Karno Month Nusantara Culinary Festival, pilgrimages to Bung Karno’s grave, and the inauguration of the renovated Istana Gebang and the Bung Karno Statue.
Starting at Le Gareca Space in Bantul, Yogyakarta, the 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, opened the fine arts exhibition titled “Mata Hati Soekarno,” featuring 47 artists across generations. Through paintings, graphics, and contemporary works, artists attempt to re-read the figure of Bung Karno, not only as a prołamator but also as an ideologue, art lover, and a source of inspiration that lives beyond his era.
While touring the exhibition, Megawati paused for a significant time in front of specific works, such as the painting “Ku Antar ke Seberang” by Agus Noor, which depicts Bung Karno cycling while carrying a young Megawati. She also noted works interpreting history, including the “Supermemar” painting—a visual play on the 1966 Supersemar historical document—and works regarding the blessings of Bung Karno’s mother, Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai.
On this occasion, Megawati expressed her gratitude for the revocation of TAP MPRS Number XXXIII/MPRS/1967, which had overshadowed Bung Karno’s name for decades. She noted that the revocation marks the end of a long wait without a proper legal process to prove the allegations against her father. Megawati reminded the public of Bung Karno’s sacrifices, having endured 22 years of imprisonment and colonial exile for the sake of Indonesia’s independence.
Megawati also shared lesser-known aspects of her family life, stating that Bung Karno and Fatmawati were essentially artists. Within the Palace environment, children were accustomed to learning dance from the age of five and were introduced to maestros such as Basoeki Abdullah, Affandi, and Nashar. Consequently, she encouraged the continued development of art studios as spaces for national education for the youth.
In Blitar, Megawati, accompanied by her family and hundreds of PDIP cadres, made a pilgrimage to Bung Karno’s grave. The activities continued with the inauguration of the renovated Istana Gebang—Bung Karno’s childhood home—and the Proclamator’s monument. In an unscripted speech, Megawati urged the public not to view historical buildings merely as tourist attractions, but as spaces for contemplation to understand Soekarno’s ideas.
From Istana Gebang, Megawati addressed contemporary national issues. She spoke regarding the rising prices of basic necessities, the importance of delivering criticism ethically through democratic mechanisms, the need to strengthen food security through rice-companion planting movements, and her concerns regarding the rise of bullying in schools. Megawati emphasised that Pancasila values must not remain mere slogans but must manifest in daily life through respect for fellow human beings.
Megawati’s journey through Istana Gebang also highlighted her attention to historical preservation. She requested that museums close one day per week for maintenance, encouraged increasing the capacity of guides to possess deeper knowledge of Bung Karno’s life, and proposed increasing the number of museum staff. There were also moments demonstrating her concern for people with disabilities and museum visitors.
Bung Karno Month was further enlivened by the Kulturanesia community, which organised a screening of the film “Ghost in the Cell” by Joko Anwar. Before the film played, the audience was surprised by a voice created using artificial intelligence that mimicked Bung Karno: “Brothers and sisters. Indonesian film is our pride. We must support it… Let us appreciate the work of our nation’s children. Merdeka!”