GBN 2026 stages Pakansari show before Aug. 17 at Istana
The warmup concert was held for the first time in Bogor Regency, with participants from 38 provinces and about 60 orchestra musicians.
The Gita Bahana Nusantara 2026 Independence Concert was held at the Archery Field in the Pakansari Stadium complex, Cibinong, Bogor Regency, on Tuesday night, six days before the participants are set to perform at the 81st anniversary of Indonesia's independence at Istana Negara. Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto called the performance an honor, noting that the public usually sees GBN on Aug. 17. Culture Minister Fadli Zon said GBN 2026 brought together participants from 38 provinces, with each sending four participants, while the orchestra was reinforced by about 60 musicians selected through auditions. He also said two participants came from Cibinong. This year marked the first time the pre-Istana concert was held in Bogor Regency; it had previously usually taken place in the Kota Tua area of Jakarta.