"Museums are no longer viewed as just warehouses for artifacts, but as spaces for public education, historical dialogue, and cultural diplomacy," Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
Throughout 2025, visits to museums and cultural heritage sites managed under the Ministry of Culture reached 4.32 million.
Currently, 516 museums across Indonesia have been registered and standardized by the ministry, with some having been revitalized through collaborations between the central government, regional governments, the private sector, and philanthropists.
"Philanthropists play a vital role in transforming museums into educational spaces, making them more attractive and bringing their narratives to life," he said.
The ministry also noted plans to revitalize royal palaces throughout the country.
Fadli emphasized that the Ministry of Culture's policies this year are directed toward making culture a unifying force, a tool for strengthening identity, and a source of welfare.
They not only focus on protection, but also on the sustainable development and utilization of culture.
"Moving forward, we hope that culture is not seen as something static or just a tangible asset, but as a living force within society that continues to evolve," he remarked.
In this regard, the government is present in building the ecosystem, expanding access, building capacity, and bridging the inequality between regions and social groups.
This approach is deemed essential to sustain the growth of cultural dynamics and creativity.
"To this end, policies must adapt to changing times and technology while remaining firmly rooted in values," the minister emphasized.
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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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