Monday, 09 November 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The 2026 Kerja Tahun Lubuk Pakam and Surrounding Areas Festival is expected to become a major cultural attraction and tourism highlight in Deli Serdang Regency. Beyond preserving Karo traditions, the annual event offers an opportunity to promote cultural tourism and introduce the region's rich heritage to a wider audience.
Thousands of people from different communities gathered at Tengku Raja Muda Square in Lubuk Pakam on Saturday evening, 7 November 2026, to celebrate the traditional festival. The strong public turnout demonstrated that Kerja Tahun continues to hold an important place in the social and cultural life of the Karo community.The ambition to establish Kerja Tahun as one of the region's leading tourist attractions was expressed by Deli Serdang Deputy Regent Lom Lom Suwondo, who also attended the event.
According to Lom Lom, Kerja Tahun carries profound significance for the Karo community. The tradition represents an expression of gratitude to the Almighty for the harvest and the blessings received throughout the year. Beyond its festive atmosphere, it also promotes important values such as family unity, mutual support, community spirit and respect for others.He stressed that these values must continue to be practised and passed down to younger generations to ensure that Karo cultural identity remains strong amid social changes and modernisation.
Lom Lom said that togetherness was one of the central messages of the 2026 Kerja Tahun Lubuk Pakam and Surrounding Areas Festival. This was reflected in the event's theme, "Si Kuning-Kuningen Gelah Radu Megersing", which conveys the message that a community can flourish and grow stronger when its members stand together.
"The spirit of togetherness is also reflected in this year's Kerja Tahun theme, 'Si Kuning-Kuningen Gelah Radu Megersing'. It conveys the message that we can shine and become stronger when we stand united," he said.He noted that this message was particularly relevant to Deli Serdang, where people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds live alongside one another. Diversity, he said, should never be regarded as an obstacle to regional development but rather as a shared social asset that must be nurtured.
Social harmony and mutual respect are essential foundations for peaceful coexistence and sustainable regional development. Cultural events therefore provide valuable opportunities for people to interact, appreciate different traditions and strengthen relationships between communities.Lom Lom also urged the organisers to continue developing Kerja Tahun as an inclusive cultural platform open to all sections of society. In addition to showcasing Karo customs and traditional arts, the event should provide opportunities for other ethnic communities in Deli Serdang to present their cultural heritage.
"With the involvement of different cultural groups, this event will better reflect the diversity of Deli Serdang Regency's population while strengthening the bonds between communities. I also see considerable potential for this event to develop into a major cultural celebration and a tourism landmark for Deli Serdang Regency," he said.Such development could deliver significant benefits beyond cultural preservation. A growing number of visitors would also create economic opportunities for local businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector, handicrafts, the creative industries and micro-enterprises.
The future of a tradition cannot be secured simply by holding an annual event. Customs, traditional arts, language and cultural philosophy must be passed on through the active participation of younger generations in cultural activities.
In this way, Kerja Tahun can serve as a platform for cultural education, bringing older and younger generations together. Such engagement would help ensure that traditional knowledge continues to be passed down and that Karo cultural identity remains intact amid modernisation.Karo cultural representative Johannes Sembiring shared a similar view. He described Kerja Tahun as more than a cultural festival, saying it was also an important means of introducing Karo customs, arts and cultural identity to younger generations.
"We therefore hope that young people will not remain mere spectators but will also become familiar with Karo culture, understand it and help preserve it, so that these traditions are not lost as society continues to evolve," he said.Johannes hoped that communities would provide young people with more opportunities to learn about their cultural heritage and take an active part in cultural events. Their involvement could strengthen their sense of belonging while raising awareness of the importance of preserving ancestral traditions.
He added that safeguarding cultural heritage required the involvement of all sections of society. Families, traditional leaders, arts communities, educational institutions and the government all had an equally important responsibility to pass on cultural values and ensure they remained part of everyday life.
Meanwhile, Thomas Darwin Sembiring, chairman of the organising committee for the 2026 Kerja Tahun Lubuk Pakam and Surrounding Areas Festival, said the event was an important initiative to preserve Karo culture and introduce its heritage to a wider audience, particularly younger generations.
He hoped the festival would continue to be held annually and develop into a platform for strengthening social cohesion. It would also give the public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the richness of Karo customs and traditions.Thomas expressed his gratitude to the Deli Serdang Regency Government and everyone involved for their support. He said the commitment of different sections of society was essential to ensuring the event could continue in the years ahead.
"We sincerely thank the Deli Serdang Regency Government and everyone who has supported us and made this event possible. We hope the festival will continue to take place every year, providing a platform to strengthen unity and encourage younger generations to take a greater interest in Karo culture," he said.The 2026 Kerja Tahun Lubuk Pakam and Surrounding Areas Festival was also attended by Hanif Fachri, an expert in social affairs and human resource development for Deli Serdang Regency; North Sumatra Regional Legislative Council member Michael T.P. Purba; Deli Serdang Regional Legislative Council member Dahnil Ginting; as well as several heads of regional government agencies and sub-district heads.
Traditional leaders, religious representatives, community figures and other invited guests were also present.The lively celebrations demonstrated the considerable potential of local traditions to support tourism development while strengthening regional identity. With closer cooperation between the government, traditional communities, cultural practitioners and younger generations, Kerja Tahun Lubuk Pakam could grow into a major cultural event that attracts not only local residents but also visitors from other parts of Indonesia and overseas. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra| EDITOR: Fik Sagala
