Speaking at a public service festival involving cultural tourism actors in Bandung, West Java, on Friday, Culture Minister Fadli Zon noted that his ministry has rolled out several relevant initiatives, including the Learning With Maestros and Artists Go to Schools programs.
He explained that these creative programs form part of the government’s efforts to realize Article 32, paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates the state to guarantee people’s rights to preserve and promote their cultures.
“This constitutional provision is essential but often overlooked. It stipulates that the state is responsible for advancing Indonesian culture within the context of global civilization,” Zon remarked.
The minister added that cultural expressions and creative industries have become new sources of economic growth as well as effective tools for diplomacy globally.
He cited the examples of the United States with Hollywood, India with Bollywood, and South Korea with K-pop and K-dramas as countries that have successfully capitalized on their cultures to fuel creative industries and enhance global influence.
“Indonesia needs to follow suit by positioning our culture as a future economic driver,” he affirmed, adding that the country currently has 2,213 intangible cultural heritages, with 16 already recognized internationally through UNESCO.
Zon noted that 550 more intangible cultural heritages are expected to gain national recognition this year, including 60 from West Java.
He also highlighted that Indonesia hosts 228 cultural heritage sites and is home to 1,340 ethnic groups with 718 local languages—accounting for roughly 10 percent of the world’s linguistic diversity.
He expressed confidence that these diverse cultural assets can serve as powerful instruments for driving inclusive growth and strengthening Indonesia’s global identity.
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Translator: Ilham N, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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