Thelandofpapua.com – President Joko Widodo, alongside First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, graced the peak celebration of the 2024 National Children’s Day held at Istora Papua Bangkit in Jayapura Regency on Tuesday. The couple arrived at around 8:30 AM WIT, greeted warmly by two Papuan children presenting them with a bouquet of flowers.

In a heartwarming gesture, the President and First Lady invited the children to join them at the event venue, holding hands as they walked. Their entrance was serenaded by regional songs performed by Papuan children, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

The couple’s arrival at the venue was marked by a traditional dance performed by Papuan children, receiving enthusiastic cheers and applause from the young attendees who had filled Istora Papua Bangkit. The celebration, themed “Children’s Voices Building the Nation,” featured a variety of performances that showcased the talents and cultural heritage of Papuan youth.

Among the highlights were a performance by 100 children from the Gasing Program, drill demonstrations, a marching band, and a song performance by a young Papuan singer, accompanied by a fashion show featuring designs by Papuan designers. Additionally, the “Yospan Mass Dance,” performed by approximately 2,600 elementary and junior high school students from Papua, was a standout performance, earning recognition from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) as the largest children’s work in Indonesia.

Tri Tito Karnavian, Chairperson of the Organization for Action and Solidarity of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet Era (OASE KIM), highlighted the significance of this 40th National Children’s Day celebration. She noted that the event was a collaborative effort between OASE KIM and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA). The choice of Papua as the venue was inspired by First Lady Iriana’s desire to ensure that children in eastern Indonesia also partake in the National Children’s Day celebrations.

“We collaborated with the Ministry of PPPA to hold it in Jayapura Regency, and this comes from the First Lady who wants children in the far east of Indonesia to feel the joy of celebrating National Children’s Day 2024,” said Tri Tito.

She expressed her hope that the celebration would bring tangible benefits to the community, particularly to Indonesian children, by raising awareness about children’s civil rights and ensuring they are acknowledged and respected.

“Hopefully, with this National Children’s Day celebration, everyone will realize that children have civil rights that need attention so that they can become great future generations as we head towards a Golden Indonesia,” said Tri Tito.

The event was also attended by several notable figures, including Vice President Ma’ruf Amin’s wife, Wury Ma’ruf Amin; Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian; Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin; Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia; Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan; Minister of PPPA Bintang Puspayoga; Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto; Head of the State Intelligence Agency Budi Gunawan; Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police Commissioner General Agus Andrianto; Acting Governor of Papua Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun, and members of OASE KIM.