Jember Fashion Carnaval 2026 Opens with Spectacular 'Save the Earth' Kids Carnival

The Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) 2026 has launched its festivities with the World Kids Carnival, an event aimed at nurturing creativity and self-assurance in children.

JFC President Budi Setiawan described the World Kids Carnival not just as an annual event, but as a movement to develop human resources through inclusive creative platforms for youngsters. He emphasized that the carnival provides a space for children to express their creativity, build leadership skills, and showcase their talents to a national and global audience, fostering courage for public performance.

"The World Kids Carnival is a platform for children to show the results of creativity that have been prepared for months while fostering self-confidence from an early age," Setiawan said. He added that JFC is committed to instilling a love for Indonesian culture in the younger generation through creative approaches that resonate with children. Beyond being an artistic stage, the carnival also aims to strengthen the value of togetherness amidst cultural diversity.

The overarching theme for JFC 2026, HEAL (Humanity, Earth and Life), guides the entire series of performances. This theme underscores the importance of mending the human connection with nature, with costumes drawing inspiration from the richness of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and critical environmental preservation issues. The Head of the Jember Regency PKK Mobilization Team, Ghyta Eka Puspita, highlighted that children's active participation in creating their own costumes serves as an effective character education tool, cultivating creativity, perseverance, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.