Gemes 2025 promotes Maimun Palace, Medan, and Malay culture

Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas opened the 8^th Gelar Melayu Serumpun (Gemes) in 2025 at the courtyard of the Maimun Palace in Medan City, North Sumatra on May 25, 2025. He stated that culture, especially Malay culture, must be a great promotional tool to introduce Medan City to the world.

Amid the pouring rain, the event included in the Tourism Ministry's Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar of cultural festivals continued to attract public attention. The opening of Gemes 2025 by Tri was marked by the beating of Malay drums, with the mayor showing his ability to beat the drums by playing the zapin rhythm.

Rico said that everyone present had the same spirit and roots, namely Malay culture, which can be the identity and strength of a nation.

"Malay is not just an ethnic identity, but also the soul in pantun, the breath in gurindam, the movement in zapin, the voice in poetry, and the light in customs. I may not have been born as a Malay, but I believe that I have a pure Malay soul," he said.

Rico Waas said that the Maimun Palace building is a symbol of the glory of the Deli Sultanate and a historical heritage in Medan city that must be maintained and promoted.

"Insya Allah, we can promote the culture of Medan City the Gemes event so that the world knows where the Malays come from. Beyond art and culture, we can also introduce Malay identity from the culinary and clothing side," Rico said.

"If we want to be noticed by foreign countries or the world, then culture must be promoted. This is soft diplomacy. How can we be strong in the eyes of foreign countries because of our great culture," he continued.

Gemes 2025 is being held from 21 to 25 May 2025. The festival, which is centered at the Maimun Palace courtyard, was filled with various activities. They include the colossal dance, Malay fashion show, music and dance performances, harmonization of traditional musical instruments, to the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) and creative economy bazaar.

Gemes 2025 was also attended by delegations from several countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and India.​