– Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi (Kemendikbudristek) held the peak night of the Indonesian Cultural Awards (AKI) 2023 event with the theme “The Harmony Nurses”.
AKI is a form of government appreciation for individuals, communities, and institutions who have achieved outstanding achievements or contributed significantly to the advancement of culture. This year’s theme is aimed at strengthening the cultural ecosystem and reaffirming the commitment of all parties to maintain harmony between humans and nature through cultural activities.
“On this good occasion, I would like to express my gratitude and congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Indonesian Cultural Awards,” said the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Nadiem Anwar Makarim in his statement on Saturday.
This award is worth more than just recognition, but carries the spirit to further strengthen collaboration in our efforts to develop the cultural ecosystem throughout Indonesia.
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Mendikbudristek hopes that the momentum of AKI 2023 will open new opportunities for award recipients to be more present in public spaces and expand their networks.
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Therefore, the achievements obtained are not only beneficial for the recipients, but also for the welfare of society.
“I also invite all parties present to participate, collaborate, and produce productive programs.
Culture holds the solution to our current problems. Therefore, it is our obligation to preserve the wealth of this nation. Because preserving culture means preserving harmony,” continued Minister Nadiem.
At the peak night of AKI 2023, Mendikbudristek also represented the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, in presenting the Cultural Satyalancana to (late) Ikrat Rustama Kartawinata and Prof. Dr. H. Timbul Haryono, M.Sc.
Previously, on August 14, President Joko Widodo had also bestowed Honorary Titles to three Cultural Masters. The three recipients of the honorary title are (late) Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati (Culture Expert) and (late) Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Djojokusumo (Artist) who received the honorary title of Bintang Budaya Parama Dharma, as well as (late) Ki Mohamad Amir Sutaarga (Museum Expert) who received the honorary title of Bintang Jasa Nararya.
Meanwhile, the AKI 2023 awards in the Children / Teen category were presented by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati; the Pioneer and Innovator category was presented by the Chairperson of the Dharma Wanita Pusat, Franka Makarim; the Regional Government category was presented by the Secretary General of Kemendagri, Suhajar Diantoro; the Preserver, Indigenous People, and Traditional Art Maestro categories were presented by the Director General of Culture Kemendikbudristek, Hilmar Farid.
The Foreign Institutions and Individuals category was presented by the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah; and the Media category was presented by the Expert Staff of the Minister of Communication and Information in the Social, Economic, and Cultural field, Ministry of Communication and Information, Wijaya Kusumawardhana.
The Director General of Culture Kemendikbudristek, Hilmar Farid, stated that the efforts of cultural preservers are an inspiration for the entire Indonesian society to be able to contribute in maintaining harmony for the advancement of culture.
“Those who preserve, maintain harmony, and preserve culture are role models for the Indonesian society because of their idealism in preserving ancestral heritage for the future generations of the nation,” said Hilmar.
Furthermore, Hilmar explained that the consistency and commitment of cultural preservers present an authentic picture of the dimensions of Indonesian culture that contain social, religious, normative, and local wisdom values.
“The concern to love culture is much needed by this nation so that these good values ​​continue to live on and root in the lives of the people. This step has been shown by the recipients of the AKI 2023 awards,” he said.
