Indonesian Culture Minister: Youth Crucial as Cultural Ambassadors

Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has underscored the significant role of the nation's youth in promoting Indonesian culture globally. Speaking at the departure ceremony for a cultural mission from SMA Labschool Kebayoran, bound for the 38th International Competition and Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music "Étoile de Paris" in France, Zon highlighted their function as cultural ambassadors. The minister praised the school's consistent commitment to cultural advancement through such missions since 2004. He stated that promoting culture is a shared responsibility, mandated by the Indonesian constitution. Zon described Indonesia's diverse cultural heritage as a "mega cultural diversity" that requires introduction to the world through various forms of cultural diplomacy, including international festivals, performing arts, music, literature, and film. He encouraged the students to view their participation not just as a competition but as an opportunity to represent Indonesia on a global stage. The minister also expressed a desire for closer collaboration between future cultural missions and the Ministry of Culture, potentially utilizing the "Dana IndonesiaRaya" fund to support cultural activities and ecosystems. This fund, he explained, supports a range of programs from sending cultural delegations to organizing various festivals within Indonesia and participating in international events. Zon reiterated that culture serves as Indonesia's "soft power," a strategic asset for cultural diplomacy, and predicted it would become an "engine of growth" for the nation's cultural, economic, and industrial sectors. He concluded by wishing the participants success as Indonesian cultural ambassadors, urging them to bring back achievements, experiences, friendships, and networks, while continuing to love, preserve, and advance Indonesian culture.