USU PUBLIC RELATIONS – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hosted the Nusantara Creative Walk as part of the 2026 National Creative Economy Day (Hekrafnas) celebration on Friday (October 23, 2026), at the USU Pancasila Building. Organized by the North Sumatra chapter of the National Creative Economy Movement (Gekraf), the event served as a platform for collaboration among the government, creative economy practitioners, communities, and various stakeholders to strengthen the region’s creative industries.

Chair of the North Sumatra Regional Executive Board of Gekraf, H. Fadhullah, S.E., M.M., said that North Sumatra was one of seven provinces receiving national support for the 2026 Hekrafnas celebration. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, government support, and intellectual property protection to increase the economic value of works produced by creative industry practitioners.

“We certainly hope that everyone attending can provide support so that we can continue making significant contributions to the creative economy, particularly in North Sumatra,” he said.

Representing the Governor of North Sumatra, Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Office of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy Terang Dewi Susanti Ujung, S.STP., MPA., emphasized that the creative economy has the potential to increase tourism appeal and drive regional economic growth. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is also committed to supporting creative economy practitioners, particularly young people, through mentoring, training, and the utilization of digital marketing.

“We are not lacking in beautiful natural resources, but we must be creative in finding ways to integrate them with the creative economy,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Chair of the North Sumatra Hekrafnas Organizing Committee Josua Askrindo Tambun, S.H., explained that the series of activities included the selection of the Creative Economy Princess, a fashion show, intellectual property rights facilitation, a fun walk, and a blood donation drive. The programs aimed to develop human resources, appreciate creative works, increase public participation, and strengthen the creative economy ecosystem.

“We must create spaces where creativity can grow, provide protection for creative works, connect creators with markets, and foster collaborations that enable ideas to develop into economic opportunities,” he said.

Through Hekrafnas 2026, greater synergy among the government, higher education institutions, communities, and creative economy practitioners is expected to emerge. Support for youth innovation, protection of creative works, the utilization of digital technology, and expanded market access are important steps toward building a North Sumatran creative economy that is innovative, competitive, and contributes to the national economy.