The FHBN Festival, launched in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, was born from a comprehensive socio-cultural study aiming to harmonize local community perceptions with incoming civil servants. This cultural celebration emphasized community participation, showcased local arts, and sought to mitigate social conflict through a shared understanding of diversity—culminating in a vibrant gathering of tradition, innovation, and unity that garnered national recognition.
The 2023 FHBN Festival, taking place within the lush surroundings of Indonesia’s new capital city Nusantara, has blossomed into a vibrant tapestry of culture and community. Unlike any typical cultural event, this festival is meticulously woven from the threads of a comprehensive socio-cultural study conducted by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development in 2022. This study, probing into the hearts of local communities in the surrounding Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kertanegara regions, aimed to address their perceptions of the impending Nusantara Capital City (IKN) and ensure a harmonious blend with the incoming state civil servants (ASN). As the festival unfurled its colorful petals, it emerged as a critical platform for dialogue and cultural expression, aiding in the mitigation of social conflicts that could blossom from overlapping land ownership and environmental concerns. An illustrative case is the land conflict involving the Pamaluan people, emphasizing the need for careful crafting of community relations during this transformative period. To reinforce local wisdom, the festival ingeniously embraced a cultural approach, promoting activities that uplift community participation. This year’s festival offered more than just a celebration; it was a congregation of hearts and talents, featuring training sessions, short film competitions, and a music corner for traditional musicians, creating a vivid canvas teeming with enthusiasm and unity. The festival’s crescendo was marked on November 3, 2023, in Bukit Raya Village, with the proud presence of Indonesia’s president, signifying formal endorsements including the Charter of Support from local sultans and community leaders for sustainable development in IKN. The festival’s theme, “Building Unity in Diversity,” was a reflection of this collective spirit, illustrated by a dazzling cultural parade showcasing traditional attires that reeked of history and belonging. Participating artists from various regions, including dance troupes from Central Kalimantan and music ensembles from Lampung, painted the event with vibrant expressions of Indonesia’s rich cultural landscape. In tandem with these festivities, local educational initiatives such as the inauguration of the Pancasila Laboratory School and traditional games woven through ancestral narratives sought to embed cultural respect and sustainability into the local educational framework. As the echoes of laughter and clamor of the festival linger in the air, it stands not only as a celebration of culture but as a testament that preserving local identities in the face of modernization is both achievable and necessary. The FHBN festival has etched itself into the chronicles of Nusantara as a beacon of hope, engagement, and communal affirmation.
The FHBN festival originated from a strategic socio-cultural research initiative by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Human Development, aimed at understanding the local communities’ perceptions of the new capital city, Nusantara. Conducted in 2022, the study highlighted the importance of integrating local customs and communities into the development process of IKN, especially regarding the transitions involving state civil servants. The study recognized that local communities in the buffer zones lagged behind economically and socially, necessitating focused cultural engagement and socio-economic enhancements to avert potential conflicts arising from rapid urbanization. This year’s festival served as a systemic response to the study, fostering cultural identity while promoting cooperation among local stakeholders. It aimed to unify diverse cultural expressions, thereby reinforcing community ties amid the pressures of development.
The FHBN festival exemplifies how cultural initiatives can play a pivotal role in uniting communities and promoting local identities amidst change. By fostering an environment of collaboration and expression, the festival is not merely an event; it is a movement towards sustainable development that acknowledges and celebrates the diverse cultural tapestry of Nusantara. As the echoes of the festival continue to resonate, it remains crucial to ensure its continuity as a nurturing ground for cultural diplomacy and human connection in the face of ongoing development.
Original Source: en.antaranews.com
