MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The "fire that never goes out" (Anantakupa) has been rekindled in North Sumatra. Around 250 former employees of the former Department of Information (Departemen Penerangan) in North Sumatra, together with their families, gathered for a reunion of former Department of Information employees. The event aimed to strengthen family and friendship ties while expanding collaboration to support the development of North Sumatra.
The event, themed "Through the Anantakupa Reunion in North Sumatra, Strengthening Collaboration Toward a Blessed North Sumatra," was held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the North Sumatra Provincial Office of Communication and Informatics (Dinas Komunikasi dan Informatika Sumatera Utara), Jalan H.M. Said No. 27, Medan.
The alumni came from various regencies and cities across North Sumatra. The reunion was attended not only by former employees of the Department of Information but also by the children, grandchildren and family members of alumni who have since passed away.
An atmosphere of emotion, familiarity and nostalgia was evident from the outset. The alumni recalled the period when they served at the
Department of Information, carrying out their duties and responsibilities in public service. At the same time, they offered prayers in memory of former colleagues who had passed away.
The presence of family members made the reunion a special occasion. Relationships that were once forged through shared responsibilities and public service have since evolved into family bonds that continue across generations.
The Unbroken Spirit of Service
Chairman of the North Sumatra Anantakupa Forum, Zainuddin Mars, who also served two terms as deputy regent of Deli Serdang, said information service employees had played a long-standing role in the development of the nation.
According to him, employees of the
Department of Information carried out their duties in the past under numerous limitations. However, those conditions did not diminish their commitment to serving.
"We grew up amid difficulties, but we were able to carry out our duties well. That spirit is still burning like a vast blue sea," Zainuddin said.
Zainuddin also paid tribute to the wives and families of the alumni. In his view, families played an important role in supporting the professional and social commitments of information service employees during their years of service.
The reunion also gave the alumni an opportunity to reflect on the values of their former service. Their willingness to work despite limited resources, assume responsibility and build relationships with the community are among the experiences they hope to pass on to future generations.
Chairman of the reunion organizing committee, Amran Matondang, who previously served as secretary of North Labuhanbatu Regency, said he had not expected such a large response from the alumni.
"I never thought so many people would come — around 250 people. Apparently, the spirit of the former Department of Information employees remains very strong," he said.
Amran said the idea for the reunion emerged from conversations among several former
Department of Information employees who wanted to reconnect with their former colleagues. The organizers then coordinated the plan with senior former employees and families of the former
Department of Information until the event could finally be held.
THE UNBROKEN SPIRIT OF SERVICE: Chairman of the North Sumatra Anantakupa Forum, Zainuddin Mars, emphasizes that the spirit of service among information service employees continues to burn even though the alumni completed their years of service long ago. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
From Nostalgia to Collaboration
Amran hopes the reunion will not remain merely a gathering of former colleagues. Instead, he wants it to serve as a starting point for strengthening communication and solidarity while making a concrete contribution to the development of North Sumatra.
"Let this reunion motivate us to become even better. We must also work with the government and support government programs. This reunion brings the past together with the present," Amran emphasized.
A similar hope was expressed by Rustam Efendi Nainggolan, a former Department of Information employee. He praised the organization of the reunion and hoped it would help maintain communication and a sense of togetherness within the extended family of former Department of Information employees throughout North Sumatra.
According to Rustam, such a reunion serves a purpose beyond nostalgia. The gathering can also help preserve relationships that have been built over many years.
"Gatherings like this are important to preserve the brotherly relationships we built during our years of service," he said.
Hasban Ritonga, another former
Department of Information employee who later served as secretary of the North Sumatra provincial government, also praised the event.
Hasban said the reunion held special significance because the alumni came together at a place closely associated with their former years of service.
"This is an opportunity for us to meet and reconnect at the place where we once served. The fire of Anantakupa has never gone out," he said.
Hasban also noted the strong participation of around 250 alumni from various parts of North Sumatra.
"Never before has an association of former retired employees been represented in such large numbers. This is an expression of our bond with the
Department of Information," he said.
BEST POSSIBLE INFORMATION SERVICES: Secretary of the North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office, Yazid Matondang, explains that combining experience from the past with the energy of the present is essential to providing the best possible information services to the public. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Bringing Past Experience Into the Digital Era
Secretary of the North Sumatra Provincial Office of Communication and Informatics, Yazid Matondang, who represented the Head of the North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office, also praised the organization of the Anantakupa reunion in North Sumatra.
Yazid said the experiences and service values of former information service employees remain relevant today, even though technological developments have fundamentally changed the ways communication and information are delivered.
In his view, the digital era is creating increasingly complex challenges in communication and information. Therefore, the government needs to bridge proven experience from the past with the energy and capabilities of today's generation.
"In today's digital era, the challenges are becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, synergy and collaboration between the experience of the past and the energy of the present are the keys to providing the best possible information services to the public," he said.
Yazid also expressed his appreciation to the chairman of the North Sumatra Anantakupa Forum, the chairman of the organizing committee and all committee members for preparing the event.
"On behalf of the North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office, we extend our highest gratitude and appreciation to all members of the organizing committee. They worked sincerely and with great dedication, helping ensure that this event could be held successfully and in a festive atmosphere," he said.
He then invited all participants to enjoy the moment of being together while using the reunion as an opportunity to further strengthen solidarity and brotherly ties.
"Enjoy the memories, the reunion and sharing this day together. May every second of today's gathering be counted by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala as an act of worship," he concluded.
The Anantakupa reunion in North Sumatra ultimately brought together not only former Department of Information employees. It became a place where history was preserved, the contributions and dedication of previous generations were remembered, and an extended family that once shared a common path of service was reunited.
The presence of the alumni's children and grandchildren also demonstrated that the values of solidarity are not limited to a single generation. The North Sumatra Anantakupa extended family carries that spirit into the present, turning the lessons of the past into part of its foundation for addressing the ever-changing challenges in communication and information.
The spirit of the "fire that never goes out," symbolized by Anantakupa, is expected to continue burning in the future. It is not merely a symbol of nostalgia for the years of service at the Department of Information, but also a source of energy for expanding collaboration, strengthening solidarity and contributing to society and the continued development of North Sumatra. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala