Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government through the Regional Library and Archives Service (Dispussipda) held the 2022 National Children's Day Festival. This activity was held based on the established national theme, namely "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia." The Malang City Government also determined a more specific local theme, namely "Creative Malang City Children, Resilient Malang City Children."
Head of Malang City Public Library, Suwarjana, SE., MM expressed his concern for children. One of them is by creating a Malang City Public Library that is friendly and suitable for children.
"Libraries as public spaces participate and care about children by providing facilities and infrastructure for children. The Malang City Public Library also continues to encourage children's love of reading by providing a place for creativity and literacy. One form of this effort is by participating in commemorating National Children's Day," he explained while attending the National Children's Day Festival, Saturday (23/7/2022).
Suwarjana further revealed that this festival was held to provide a place for creativity and a showcase for children. "In addition, it is also to encourage a love of reading through literacy activities. As well as a form of promotion to increase the number of library visitors," he explained.
Also present at this event was the Acting Regional Secretary of Malang City, Drs. Mulyono, M.Si. He expressed his hope that children would be encouraged to enjoy reading. “Let’s start encouraging children to read. We can start from pictures. Introducing children to pictures is more appropriate than introducing children to gadgets. Reading is the beginning of moving towards an advanced Indonesia,” he said.
Mulyono also hopes that activities that provide a place for creativity for children can become a routine agenda. "Now the challenge is that this agenda is expected to become a routine agenda. This agenda must be friendly and appropriate for children. If friendly is related to the treatment and appropriateness where it is facilitated to be creative. This kind of agenda will bring children closer to useful activities such as reading and keep children away from gadgets," he added.
The Head of Commission D of the Malang City DPRD, Amithya Ratnanggani Sirraduhita, SS, who was also present on this occasion, said that the theme of this year's National Children's Day is very appropriate for the current situation. "Currently, we are preparing children to become the face of the Indonesian nation who must be ready to compete in the international arena. This theme is a motivation for all of us. Today is a milestone, as a reminder for parents to support their children in exploring the world around them. Also remember the role of parents as the first teachers for children," he asked.
According to her, parents must be ready to support and be a facilitator for children to develop their potential. Amithya added that the library is a place for children to develop their literacy to open their horizons by reading books as a window to the world.
"Let's get children back to more interactive things, not just focusing on gadgets. Hopefully, children will further develop their literacy, potential, and creativity," he concluded.
In the 2022 National Children's Day Festival which lasts for four days, from July 21 to July 24, 2022, there are many interesting and educational activities for children. Starting from storytelling competitions, national song singing competitions, coloring competitions, art performances (dance, music, and poetry), children's fashion shows, beauty and culinary workshops for SMK students majoring in Makeup and Culinary Arts, writing workshops, parenting seminars for parents, as well as smart gymnastics for children and mothers, and book reviews. (ari/ram)
