The 2018 Museum of National Awakening Festival officially kicked off on Sunday.

Unlike in previous years, the festival would run until Aug. 14, museum head Mardi Thesianto said. The extended period was aimed at encouraging people to understand National Awakening Day through various ways as well as to strengthen the national identity.

This year, tempo.co reported that the museum will be hosting various activities, from a selfie competition and photo booth to a Ramadhan bazaar, a choir and competitions in sketching, photography and short film production.

As part of the festival, the museum will also present the offspring of the founders of renowned political society Boedi Oetomo, hoping that they would inspire a national commitment among the public.

Read also: How literature awakens nationalism in times of uncertainty

Mardi said the festival was not only aimed at entertaining the public, but also at promoting the museum.

He also said that the activities were meant to make the museum a public forum that inspired and preserved the nation’s collective memory, particularly for the young generation.

Meanwhile, Culture and Education Ministry Culture Director General Hilmar Farid said at the festival's opening ceremony that National Awakening Day (Harkitnas), celebrated on May 20, was an important moment, as the nation faced a lack of unity and other complex issues.

“It is important to [restore] the national commitment,” said Hilmar, adding that the nation was united by a commitment, not material goods.

Hilmar stressed the importance of National Awakening Day as a reminder of the national commitment that united youths from across the archipelago to establish Boedi Oetomo in 1908. (jes/wng)

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