In a statement released by the Vice Presidential Secretariat on Monday, Gibran said that the integration is part of President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita goals to bolster harmonious community life by maintaining the noble values of the nation's culture.
"I hope the Warenhuis building can be a new icon that integrates cultural heritage with creative economy activities so as to be able to attract tourists and increase the local economy," he added.
On Monday, Vice President Gibran reviewed the project in Medan, accompanied by his wife Selvi Ananda, and several local officials.
Regarding the revitalization of the building, the Vice President emphasized the importance of preserving cultural values and the building's usefulness for the surrounding community.
He also lauded the Medan city government for involving local communities and artists in planning the new function of the building, which has a historical significance as the first supermarket in Medan city.
With this collaboration, the Warenhuis building will not only serve as a cultural symbol but also a center of innovation that is relevant to the needs of modern society.
The revitalization of the Warenhuis building, which is funded by Medan city's regional budget, began in 2023 at the initiative of Mayor Bobby Nasution.
It is aimed at making the building a creative center for the younger generation as well as an exhibition space for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and food stall owners.
According to the Medan City Housing, Settlement Areas, Public Works, and Spatial Planning Agency, the physical work on the revitalization project has reached 90 percent completion, and is estimated to be completed by the end of December 2024.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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