BLITAR – Grebeg Pancasila 2026 attracted thousands of residents in Blitar City as communities gathered to honor the birth of Pancasila and celebrate the enduring legacy of Indonesia’s founding president, Sukarno.
The annual cultural festival marked the peak of the city’s commemoration of Pancasila Day. Residents took part in a series of traditional events, including a lantern parade, a cultural ceremony, the Gunungan Lima procession, and the Kenduri Pancasila communal feast.
Large crowds filled streets and public spaces throughout the celebration. Many participants arrived early to witness the cultural performances and ceremonial activities that have become a unique tradition in Blitar, the city closely associated with Sukarno, who is widely known as Bung Karno.
Blitar Mayor Syauqul Muhibbin said Grebeg Pancasila represents an important cultural heritage that deserves continued preservation. He stressed that the event serves a broader purpose than an annual ceremony.
According to him, the celebration helps residents understand and practice the values of Pancasila in everyday life. He described the tradition as one of Blitar’s most distinctive cultural events.
“This Grebeg Pancasila tradition is extraordinary. It may be one of the unique traditions of Blitar City. From the lantern parade and cultural ceremony to the procession and Kenduri Pancasila, everything reflects the spirit of the founders of Pancasila, including Bung Karno,” he said.
Muhibbin, often known locally as Mas Ibin, emphasized that Pancasila remains the foundation that unites Indonesia’s diverse society. He noted that the ideology continues to bind together people from different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds across the archipelago.
For that reason, he said, every generation must preserve and pass down Pancasila’s values.
One of the most recognizable symbols during Grebeg Pancasila is the number five. Organizers highlight that symbol through the Gunungan Lima, a ceremonial offering that attracts strong public interest during the festival.
Muhibbin explained that the number represents the five principles of Pancasila. He also linked the symbol to Sukarno’s historical explanation of Pancasila and Ekasila.
“Five holds deep meaning for Pancasila. Bung Karno once spoke about Ekasila and Pancasila. That is why the number appears in many symbols, including Gunungan Lima and the starfruit, which has five sides,” he said.
The mayor also praised the strong public participation throughout the celebration. He said the enthusiasm demonstrated that Pancasila remains relevant in modern Indonesian society.
He added that events such as Grebeg Pancasila combine a sense of historical reflection with national pride. The celebration reminds people of the values that shaped Indonesia’s independence and development.
Muhibbin expressed hope that Grebeg Pancasila will continue to grow in the coming years. He believes the tradition plays an important role in strengthening civic values and preserving national identity.
“With Pancasila, this nation exists. With Pancasila, we continue to enjoy independence and national progress today,” he said.