Saturday, 24 October 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Government has pledged its support for the planned Gebyar Pesta Adat Budaya Melayu Deli Serdang 2026, a Malay cultural festival scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Percut Village, Percut Sei Tuan District. The event is expected to play an important role in preserving Malay traditions while introducing the region's rich cultural heritage to a wider audience, particularly younger generations.
Deli Serdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan conveyed his support through Zainal Abidin Hutagalung, Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare. The statement followed a visit by representatives of the Deli Serdang branch of the Indonesian Malay Customs and Culture Council (Majelis Adat Budaya Melayu Indonesia, MABMI) to the regent's office on Monday, 19 October 2026.The planned festival will feature a varied programme of Malay arts and traditions, including traditional dances, music and a sampan boat race scheduled to take place in the Bagan Percut area. In addition to providing a platform for artistic expression, the event aims to raise awareness of Malay cultural heritage, which forms an important part of Deli Serdang's history and development.
Preserving regional culture has become increasingly important amid social change. Events rooted in inherited traditions give communities an opportunity to rediscover cultural values passed down through generations. Such initiatives are intended to keep Malay arts and customs alive, allow them to evolve and ensure they retain their place in modern life.According to Ibnu Afan, Malay culture is not merely the heritage of the local community but also an integral part of Indonesia's national culture. Preserving it is therefore a shared responsibility. Introducing traditional values to a wider audience is an important step towards helping young people better understand the historical significance and cultural identity of their region.
"Through this event, we want to preserve Malay customs and culture while also showing the public how important it is to keep Malay culture alive as part of Indonesia's national culture," he said.The festival will also provide an opportunity to bring people from different generations together through art, music, dance and the traditions of coastal communities. The planned sampan boat race in Bagan Percut will further highlight maritime traditions closely associated with the lives and livelihoods of local residents.
By presenting traditional customs at a public event, the organisers hope visitors will do more than watch the performances: they also want them to understand the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage. Community participation is regarded as a decisive factor in ensuring that Malay traditions remain widely known and are passed on to future generations.
Zainal Abidin Hutagalung, Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare, emphasised that cultural preservation played an important role in regional development. The Deli Serdang Regency Government therefore supports arts and cultural events that enable the public to participate in safeguarding local heritage.
He explained that Deli Serdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan was also strongly committed to supporting a range of cultural activities. The regency government therefore welcomed the plans for the Malay cultural festival."The plans for this Malay cultural festival have been presented in detail, including the arrangements for its implementation. Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan shares this commitment, particularly when it comes to supporting cultural activities and events," he said.
The regency government's backing is expected to strengthen cooperation between cultural organisations and the relevant administrative authorities in preparing the event. Careful planning should help ensure that the programme is developed in line with requirements and encourage greater public participation at the venue.Zainal Abidin added that the government would coordinate various technical requirements with the relevant authorities. The Percut Sei Tuan District administration and the village administration would also be informed about the planned festival, as the venue falls within their administrative area.
"We will coordinate technical matters with the relevant authorities. As the venue is located within the district, we will, of course, also inform the district head and the village head about the event," he explained.This coordination is an important step towards ensuring that the festival runs smoothly. Communication between the regency government, district administration, village administration and organisers is essential to keeping preparations on schedule. Cooperation among all parties should also ensure that residents receive timely information about the event programme.
Safeguarding cultural traditions over the long term also requires the continued involvement of customary organisations, artists, local communities and government institutions. Support for cultural events can give young people opportunities to learn about traditional practices, understand the values they embody and contribute to their preservation.
For Deli Serdang, Malay culture is an essential part of regional identity, shaped over the course of history alongside the lives of its people. Introducing traditions through public events can further strengthen appreciation of Indonesia's cultural diversity among local communities.Through the planned festival next November, the Deli Serdang Regency Government hopes to advance efforts to preserve Malay arts and traditions. The event is also expected to strengthen public commitment to protecting regional cultural identity and safeguarding the national cultural heritage so that it remains familiar to future generations.
Ultimately, the success of the festival will not be measured solely by its scale or the liveliness of the celebrations, but also by the extent of public participation and how deeply people understand the importance of inherited cultural values. With support from the various stakeholders involved, the Malay cultural festival is intended to become a sustainable initiative that keeps Malay traditions alive amid continuing social change. (IDNC)REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
