The collaboration was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to a statement from Indonesia's Ministry of Culture on Thursday, the signing follows the Indonesia–France Joint Declaration on Cultural Strategy, previously agreed upon by President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“This MoU serves as an operational framework to implement the cultural vision shared by the two presidents,” Fadli said.
Through this partnership, Indonesia and France are committed to fostering innovation, creativity, and solidarity—especially in the preservation of cultural heritage.
The agreement also covers museum development, archival digitization, capacity building for cultural professionals, and the promotion of cultural products such as films, music, textiles, cuisine, performances, and games.
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Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to preventing the illicit trafficking of cultural and historical artifacts, tracing the origins of collections, and pursuing ethical repatriation.
The agreement encourages inter-institutional cooperation, including curator and conservator exchanges, artist residencies, joint festivals, and stronger networks among cultural institutions.
Initiatives to be launched under this cooperation include the Indonesia–France Film Lab and the Borobudur Cultural Center, among others.
“We aim to enhance cultural dialogue between the two nations, particularly by engaging younger generations and contemporary cultural practitioners,” Fadli said.
He added that his ministry will support greater collaboration between cultural professionals, educational institutions, and creative industry players in both countries.
“Through an inclusive approach, we hope to generate both cultural and economic added value for our nations,” he said.
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Translator: Farhan Arda, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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