The center was inaugurated by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in the presence of visiting French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
In a statement issued on Friday, Fadli said that activities at the BCC will involve partnerships with both national and international institutions.
As part of the launch, the government is hosting a thematic exhibition titled “Borobudur: Symphony of Civilization,” which explores the rich cultural narratives depicted in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple.
The exhibition features two key sections. The first, “Sound of Borobudur,” presents approximately 40 musical instruments reconstructed from over 200 relief panels at the temple.
These instruments, originating from various regions in Indonesia, reflect the musical heritage of the Ancient Javanese civilization dating back to the 8th century.
The second section, “Strength and Spirituality: Traditional Weapons of the Archipelago in Borobudur Reliefs,” highlights 50 traditional weapons and heirlooms portrayed in the temple’s carvings. This display illustrates Indonesia’s martial and spiritual traditions.
In total, the exhibition features 108 objects, all accompanied by research texts, restoration histories, and archaeological documentation that shed light on Borobudur’s historical and cultural significance.
“This exhibition demonstrates that Borobudur has been a center of cosmopolitan culture since the 8th century,” Fadli said. "We want to revive the spirit of cultural interconnectedness reflected in the temple’s reliefs."
The launch of the BCC and the exhibition are part of the Indonesia–France Cultural Dialogue, held at the Manohara Borobudur complex under the theme “Celebrating Diversity, Building Bridges.”
The forum brought together cultural practitioners and artists from both countries, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy rooted in cross-generational and cross-civilizational collaboration.
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Translator: Chairul, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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