Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that the declaration of 17 October as National Culture Day is not related to President Prabowo Subianto’s birthday, which falls on the same date.

“There’s no connection to the President’s birthday—it’s purely coincidental,” he said during a press conference at the House of Representatives (DPR) Complex a on Thursday (17/7/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Minister Fadli explained that the decision was based on a six-month academic review involving scholars, artists, and cultural experts from the Garuda 9+ team. The date commemorates the signing of Government Regulation No. 66/1951 on Indonesia’s National Emblem by President Soekarno and Prime Minister Sukiman on 17 October 1951.

The minister emphasized that the essence of culture is reflected in one of the national pillars, namely Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), making the date symbolically fitting for National Culture Day.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)