Source: Fikom Untar
Culture should not only be viewed as a heritage to be preserved, but also as a means of shaping the future through creativity and innovation. This message was conveyed by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, during his virtual remarks at Kreasa Fest 2026, organized by the Faculty of Communication Sciences (Fikom) of Universitas Tarumanagara (Untar) at Untar Campus I, Jakarta, on Friday (05/06/2026).
According to Giring, culture should be understood as a source of inspiration capable of generating creativity and innovation, rather than merely a legacy to be safeguarded. He emphasized that young people have significant opportunities to introduce Indonesian culture through digital technology. By leveraging various digital platforms, creative content can reach wider audiences while strengthening both the cultural ecosystem and the national creative economy.
He also expressed appreciation for Kreasa Fest as a platform where young people can learn, create, and develop innovative ideas that are relevant to contemporary developments.
Fikom Untar Dean Dr. Sinta Paramita, S.I.P., M.A. stated that Kreasa Fest serves as a learning platform that enables students to apply communication theories and knowledge in real-world settings through various creative and collaborative activities.
“In the midst of rapid information flows and media transformation, culture must not only be preserved but also communicated, revitalized, and given space to grow through creative and innovative approaches,” she said.
According to Sinta, communication students play a crucial role in bridging cultural values and society through messages that remain relevant to current developments. Therefore, the ability to package culture into engaging content and communication strategies must continue to be strengthened.
Kreasa Fest 2026 carried the theme “Culture Inspires, Generations Take Action.” As part of Communication Week 2026, the event aimed to encourage students to develop creativity and communication innovations that introduce Indonesian culture to broader audiences in the digital era.
Through the festival, students were encouraged to sharpen their creativity, strategic thinking, and collaborative skills in responding to the challenges of cultural preservation amid the rapid advancement of technology and digital media. The communication ideas and projects generated through the event are expected to strengthen cultural awareness while addressing the needs of modern society.
Kreasa Fest 2026 also featured three national-level communication competitions: PRASASTI in Public Relations, LENTERA in Advertising, and AKSARA in Journalism. Participants were challenged to produce creative, relevant, and impactful communication strategies, campaigns, and works that promote Indonesian cultural values.
Industry perspectives further enriched the event through a talk show featuring former CEO of Dentsu One Indonesia Janoe Arijanto, film and commercial director Dimas Djayadiningrat, Jakarta Raya Perhumas Muda executive board member Alissya Amri, and content creator Andovi da Lopez. They shared insights on the importance of creativity and innovation in navigating the evolving digital communication landscape.
Kreasa Fest 2026 Organizing Committee Chair Erin explained that the theme “Culture Inspires, Generations Take Action” was chosen to encourage young people to view culture as a source of inspiration that can be transformed into creative works and innovative solutions. Through competitions and discussions with industry practitioners, students were encouraged to demonstrate that culture can evolve into tangible works that remain relevant to contemporary developments and beneficial to society.
The event also aligned with Untar’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, through the development of creativity, innovation, and competencies among younger generations.
Kreasa Fest 2026 received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and the Jakarta Provincial Culture Office, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering youth creativity and preserving culture through communication and the creative industries.
As Fikom Untar approaches its 20th anniversary celebration on 22 June 2026, the faculty continues to strengthen educational quality through collaborations with industry partners, media organizations, communities, and educational institutions. (Fikom Untar)