"This is more than just the launch of a digital platform, it is the first step toward building a sustainable, globally-oriented promotion system for Indonesian literature," Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in a press release received on Wednesday.
Through a single integrated platform, Read Indonesia offers information on Indonesian literary works, author profiles, literary festivals, as well as achievements and awards, serving as a reference for the global community.
The minister noted that strengthening literary promotion aligns with the mandate of Article 32, Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which highlights the state's role in advancing national culture within world civilization.
“Literature is one of the ten Objects of Cultural Advancement and plays a strategic role in introducing Indonesian cultural values,” he asserted.
Zon also underscored the vast potential of Indonesian literature that has not yet been fully recognized internationally, partly due to limited translations and global networks.
He explained that the Read Indonesia platform is designed as a reference hub that introduces Indonesian literature through its works and creators, while also serving as a bridge connecting authors, publishers, and readers across borders.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation at the ministry, Endah T. D. Retnoastuti, said that Read Indonesia is aimed at addressing the need for an integrated promotional platform for Indonesian literature that is accessible to people worldwide.
Retnoastuti affirmed that since early 2025, her office has had formed a Literary Promotion Team to develop strategies for promoting Indonesian literature, including facilitating the participation of Indonesian authors and publishers in various international literary and book forums.
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Translator: Pamela Sakina, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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