Celebrate Valentine's Day with a Jomblo festival in Yogya and banned in Kediri

A jomblo (single, not in a relationship) festival is set to be celebrated in Yogyakarta on Valentine's Day to encourage young Indonesians to stay creative and not to get bogged down in matters of love and affairs of the heart. Slated to be held at Kopi Geek Cafe on Jl. Seturan Raya 12 in Sleman, the event will reportedly feature a creative photo competition and art and cultural performances. Festival chairman Janet Cynthia told thejakartapost.com that the status of jomblo could produce low esteem in young people, causing them to give up hope. "We will hold the event to encourage people, especially the younger generation, to stay creative," said Janet.

Janet said the response to the festival on social media had been quite positive so far.Janet hoped that the festival would inspire creativity because the future of the nation depended on the creativity of its youth.

Meanwhile, students in Kediri in East Java have been banned from celebrating Valentine’s Day in any form as the romantic celebration of love is considered by some in the city to be antithetical to Indonesia’s culture and morality.

Kediri Education Agency head Siswanto said the leaders of the city’s elementary, junior and senior high schools had gathered to discuss the matter and an official letter had been sent out to ensure that no event would be conducted celebrating the occasion in any form. “Valentine’s Day is not in line with Indonesia’s culture and morality,” said Siswanto as quoted by Antara news agency on Thursday.

The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) will increase patrols at popular hangout spots often visited by young people, including boarding houses and hotels.

Besides Kediri, Banda Aceh in Aceh has also banned students from celebrating Valentine’s Day. The occasion is deemed haram, or forbidden, because it is not in line with the teachings and values of Islam.