DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Government continues to encourage the younger generation to learn about, appreciate and preserve regional arts and culture. This commitment was reflected in the "Pagelaran Seni Budaya" (Arts and Culture Performance) and the traditional attire competition "Night at Museum," held on Friday evening, August 14, 2026, at the grounds of the Deli Serdang Regency Government Museum in Lubuk Pakam.
Deli Serdang Deputy Regent Lom Lom Suwondo, SS, attended the event together with the First Expert Adviser of the
Deli Serdang Regency Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK), Asniar Lom Lom Suwondo. He expressed his appreciation for the event, which was organized by the
Deli Serdang Regency Office of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism.
Lom Lom emphasized that preserving arts and culture requires the active involvement of the younger generation. In his view, the next generation has an important role in safeguarding the values of tradition, culture, aesthetics and manners passed down by their ancestors.
"Culture does not remain alive simply because it is properly kept in a museum. Culture remains alive when it continues to be worn, danced, told and passed down from one generation to the next," he said.
Young Generation as the Vanguard of Cultural Preservation
Lom Lom said the diversity of cultures and ethnic groups living peacefully alongside one another in
Deli Serdang is both a valuable asset and part of the community's identity. He therefore called on the government and all stakeholders to continue creating spaces where young people can learn about, study and express
regional culture.
He said events such as "Night at Museum" could serve both as an educational program and as a space for children and teenagers to engage directly with arts and culture. Through such activities, the younger generation learns about culture not only through stories or museum collections, but also by practicing it through traditional clothing, dance, theater and other forms of artistic expression.
Lom Lom also praised the cooperation among the Office of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism (Disbudporapar), the UPT Museum Unit, artists, art groups, the judging panel, parents, participants and all other parties who supported the event. He particularly commended the participants in the
traditional attire competition for confidently appearing in traditional clothing.
"You are all already winners because you had the courage and pride to represent the culture of Deli Serdang. Keep learning, keep practicing and never be ashamed to wear our own traditional clothing," he said.
He expressed hope that the spirit of cultural preservation would not end with the event in
Deli Serdang. Instead, he said, it should continue to be developed through various arts and cultural activities, including sending regional delegations to festivals outside the area.
On the occasion, the regency government announced plans to send Deli Serdang cultural and arts delegations to several cultural events. The delegations will join the Sanggar Siswo Langgeng Budoyo art group at the Bumi Asanti Festival in Yogyakarta, Karimun Taja Tari 2026 in Tanjung Balai Karimun, and the Pacu Jalur Teluk Kuantan Festival 2026.
"We hope that
Deli Serdang's cultural and arts delegations participating in various festivals outside the region will properly represent the great name and good reputation of
Deli Serdang, which we all love. Preserve and nurture our culture," he appealed.
PROUD IN TRADITIONAL ATTIRE: Deli Serdang Deputy Regent Lom Lom Suwondo encourages the younger generation to continue learning, practicing and taking pride in wearing traditional clothing as part of efforts to preserve regional culture. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Traditional Attire and Theater Depicting the Struggle for Independence
The "Night at Museum" event featured various activities aimed particularly at the younger generation. Among them was a
traditional attire competition involving elementary and secondary school students aged seven to 15.
The participants confidently appeared in traditional clothing. The competition was not merely a contest, but also provided participants with an opportunity to learn about the diversity of traditional attire, which forms an important part of Deli Serdang's cultural heritage.
In addition to the
traditional attire competition, the organizing committee presented dance performances and a musical theater production. The performances highlighted the history of the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia as well as the cultural diversity that has developed in
Deli Serdang.
The combination of activities transformed the museum grounds into both a stage for the arts and a place for cultural education for the community. The regency government hopes similar events can continue to be held in the future and reach even more young people.
Earlier,
Deli Serdang Regent's Office of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism head Yudy Hilmawan reported that the
Deli Serdang Regency Government Museum would receive Rp2 billion in funding support from Indonesia's Ministry of Culture. The funds will be used for the revitalization of the museum.
Yudy expressed hope that the financial support would improve the quality of the museum, both in terms of its facilities and its appeal. Through these improvements, the museum is expected to attract more visitors and become one of the places where the younger generation can learn about history and culture.
CULTURE MINISTRY FUNDING:
Deli Serdang Office of Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism head Yudy Hilmawan said the
Deli Serdang Regency Government Museum will receive Rp2 billion in funding support from Indonesia's Ministry of Culture to support the museum's revitalization. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Delegations Sent Off to Represent Deli Serdang
The "Night at Museum" program also included the presentation of awards to the winners of the
traditional attire competition and the send-off of
Deli Serdang's cultural and arts delegations, which will participate in several festivals outside the region.
The departure of the delegations is an important part of efforts to introduce Deli Serdang's arts and culture to a wider audience. Participation in festivals outside the region also gives artists and cultural practitioners an opportunity to introduce Deli Serdang's cultural richness to people from different parts of Indonesia.
In the
traditional attire competition, Fajra Nadia Nadhifa of YP Nurul Iman Tanjung Morawa won first place. Alifa Wiga Ningrum of MIN 3
Deli Serdang took second place, while Athalya Paula of SD Wiyata Dharma finished third.
In the Honorable Mention category, Annisa Zahra of SD IT Al Fatih Bandar Setia received first place. Divana Alesha of SD Negeri 104233 Tanjung Morawa took second place, while Fellysha Putri of SD IT Salsabila Bandar Setia received third place.
In the "Favorite" category, Fathiya Azzahra of MIS Nurul Yaqin Burhaniyah Tanjung Morawa was named Favorite I. Muhammad Dicky of SD Negeri 104257 Sekip received the Favorite II title.
Through the event, the Deli Serdang Regency Government seeks to strengthen public awareness that preserving culture is not solely the responsibility of the government, artists or cultural practitioners. The younger generation, families, schools and society as a whole also share responsibility for ensuring that regional arts and culture continue to grow and remain known across generations.
"Night at Museum" also highlights the role of the museum as a place where not only historical objects are preserved, but where the community can also learn about, experience and bring the richness of regional
arts and culture back to life.
With support for the revitalization of the museum and the involvement of young people in various arts and cultural activities, Deli Serdang is expected to better preserve its cultural identity in the future while promoting it through various arts platforms at both the local and national levels. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Edi Saputra | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala