Religious Affairs Minister Values Lunar New Year Harmony as Rooted in Nusantara Spirituality and Culture
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has stated that the Harmoni Imlek Nusantara celebration is an event deeply intertwined with the spiritual and socio-cultural life of Indonesian society.
“The Harmoni Imlek Nusantara is a celebration filled with rituals, spirituality, and socio-cultural practices that have become integral to Indonesian communities,” the minister said in Jakarta on Saturday.
The event has been described as a space for celebrating diversity and serves as a strategic cultural diplomacy initiative to introduce the richness of Nusantara and strengthen Indonesia’s talent on the global stage.
The festive atmosphere, enjoyed by various segments of society and ethnic groups, is expected to strengthen relationships amongst communities and foster harmony and friendship.
The event, held concurrently with the holy month of Ramadhan, demonstrates the religious harmony present amongst Indonesia’s diverse faiths.
“The Lunar New Year celebration is taking place whilst Muslim communities across Indonesia are in or have just entered the holy month and the blessed night of Ramadhan, filled with forgiveness and divine mercy. The glowing red lanterns of Lunar New Year, cultural parades, small business markets, and the various cultural fusion performances we witness today symbolise beautifully how these two great traditions, Lunar New Year and Ramadhan, can complement one another in the spirit of togetherness,” the minister said.
Beyond mere celebration, the Religious Affairs Minister hopes the event will preserve noble cultural values as part of national identity, foster a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, and serve as an educational tool for young people to understand and appreciate Nusantara’s culture in harmony with national spirit that upholds unity, mutual cooperation, and social justice.
“May the light of the Lunar New Year lanterns continue to shine as a symbol of hope, fortune, and happiness, whilst merging with the light of faith during Ramadhan that brings divine forgiveness and blessing,” he concluded.
The event, centred at Lapangan Banteng in Jakarta, featured performances by taichi, martial arts, wing chun, and wushu communities, alongside barongsai displays and drone performances showcasing various formations.
Beyond Jakarta, the Harmoni Imlek Nusantara celebration extends to the Cap Gomeh festivities in Palembang, Singkawang, Medan, Manado, Makassar, and Pontianak, featuring barongsai performances, lantern festivals, and culinary bazaars.