"I think it can become a strategic part, which has been explicitly said by the director general of cultural affairs, to provide a space for all elements (parties)," chair of the ministry's music appreciation and literacy working team, Edi Irawan, said.
He made the statement at a press conference on the Indonesian Music Festival (FMI) 2023 here on Thursday
According to Irawan, the implementation of various types of music festivals, which currently continue to receive support from his ministry, is not only aimed at meeting the needs of the industry.
Music festivals, he explained, have a special power that can be used for soft diplomacy efforts to introduce Indonesian culture to the world because they can attract people from various age groups and backgrounds.
"Actually, the goal is not just business, but how to elevate Indonesia in international forums. So (it is about) how to raise our culture in trendy ways, such as through music festivals," he said.
He explained that the capability of the Indonesian people is not inferior to other nations. Many artists from Indonesia have been sent abroad because they have received invitations from foreign parties.
"In artistic and (creative) expression activities, we cannot continue to depend (on one side alone), but we must seek new talents and of course, not only directed to the world of industry but international (stage)," he said.
Furthermore, he affirmed that the government will continue to give its support to the works of the Indonesian people that can make the nation proud.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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