The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. I Nengah Duija, officially inaugurated the Gerbang Nusantara Festival 2026 at the Inna Bali Heritage Hotel in Denpasar on Friday (July 17, 2026). Organized by the Indonesian Hindu Coordination Center (Puskor Hindunesia), the festival serves as a platform to strengthen collaboration among Hindu community stakeholders in advancing human resource development, economic empowerment, and the preservation of arts and culture as integral elements of Indonesia's national identity and civilization.
In his keynote address, Prof. Duija emphasized that the history of the Indonesian archipelago cannot be separated from centuries of interaction among diverse civilizations that collectively shaped the nation's identity.
"The Nusantara archipelago was shaped by the seas that brought together diverse civilizations. We are not only speaking of Hinduism, but also Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, all of which have contributed to the historical journey of our nation. Within this process, Hinduism has made significant contributions through its spiritual values, arts, and cultural traditions that continue to flourish today," he said.
According to Prof. Duija, cultural preservation should not be viewed merely as an effort to safeguard traditions. Rather, it is a strategic endeavor to reinforce Indonesia's national identity amid the dynamics of globalization. He noted that the country's rich cultural heritage represents a valuable national asset that must be sustained through collaboration between the government, civil society organizations, and the wider community.
Referring to the thoughts of renowned Balinese Hindu intellectual I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, Prof. Duija highlighted the inseparable relationship between religion and the arts within Balinese Hindu society.
"The arts that flourish in Bali are deeply rooted in religious values. Therefore, preserving the arts means preserving our civilization while safeguarding the cultural identity that has been passed down from generation to generation," he explained.
The Director General also acknowledged that government budget limitations continue to present challenges in meeting the diverse needs of Hindu community organizations. Nevertheless, he stressed that collaboration remains the key to expanding the impact of programs aimed at community development and empowerment.
Chairman of Puskor Hindunesia, Dr. Hc. Ida Bagus Ketut Susena, expressed hope that the Gerbang Nusantara Festival would become a catalyst for stronger partnerships among the government, civil society organizations, businesses, and local communities in advancing the welfare of the Hindu community.
"Human resource development and economic empowerment cannot be achieved by a single institution alone. Cross-sector collaboration is essential to ensure that the benefits are truly felt by the community. Concrete action will always have greater meaning than mere discourse," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, a member of Indonesia's Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), emphasized the strategic role of socio-religious organizations in sustaining community development. He also commended ongoing efforts to strengthen the quality of Hindu education, including initiatives to enhance teachers' professional capacity and develop Widyalaya, Hindu educational institutions.
Dr. Ida Bagus explained that the unique cultural heritage preserved across Indonesia's regions is not only vital in strengthening national identity but also possesses significant economic value that can be developed sustainably.
"Culture is an invaluable asset. When managed wisely, it can become a driver of economic growth while strengthening the nation's character amid the currents of global change," he remarked.
The Gerbang Nusantara Festival 2026 reaffirmed that preserving arts and culture requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including government institutions, community organizations, academics, and the public. The huge collaboration is regarded as essential to ensuring that Indonesia's cultural heritage continues to thrive while contributing meaningfully to the social, educational, and economic development of the Hindu community.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gusti Ngurah Sathya Dharma
Contributed and translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
