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Indonesia’s regents and mayors of culture
For the 2020 National Press Day, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) organized a cultural competition for regents and mayors all over Indonesia.
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Local leaders: The regents and mayors who receive the 2020 Cultural Award from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). (JP/Agus Dermawan T)
F
or the 2020 National Press Day, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) organized a cultural competition for regents and mayors all over Indonesia.
To draw the competitive interest of the almost 500 regional heads, the PWI cooperated with the Indonesian Regency Administrations Association (Apkasi) and the Indonesian City Administrations Association (Apeksi).
At first, regents and mayors were asked to send proposals of their visions, aspirations and cultural programs for their respective regions.
Finally, the organizers, through a jury panel, chose the 10 “most culture-conscious” regents and mayors. The Cultural Awards were presented at the National Press Day ceremony on Feb. 8 in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, before President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
The 10 winners were Tabalong Regent Anang Syakhfiani from South Kalimantan, Baubau Mayor AS Thamrin from Southeast Sulawesi, West Halmahera Regent Danny Missy from North Maluku, Banjarmasin Mayor Ibnu Sina from South Kalimantan, Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy from Maluku, Serdang Bedagai Regent Soekirman from North Sumatra, West Tulang Bawang Regent Umar Ahmad from Lampung, South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany from Banten, Gunungkidul Regent Badingah from Yogyakarta and North Luwu Regent Indah Putri Adriani from South Sulawesi.
Prior to winning the Cultural Awards, the regents and mayors came to the PWI office in Jakarta on Dec. 27, 2019. There, they had to describe their visions and cultural programs in front of the jury comprising artist Nungki Kusumastuti, senior journalist Ninok Leksono, PWI Central Board Chairman Atal S. Depari, cultural journalist Yusuf Susilo Hartono and cultural observer Agus Dermawan T. They wore traditional costumes with various accessories to represent their authority as regional “kings” or “queens”.
“The costumes are very relevant and attractive. In the government context, regents and mayors are indeed kings and queens of their regions. They are prime movers of all aspects in society, including culture,” Ninok said.
