Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and France strengthened cultural cooperation covering greater visibility of Indonesian culture in France, heritage and site revitalization, film and cultural industries, as well as cooperation in museums, literature, music, and contemporary creation.
“Indonesia and France have a long and very rich cultural relationship. We want this partnership to become more concrete, reciprocal, and give wider space for people of both countries to learn about each other’s cultural wealth,” Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in a statement received here on Monday.
During a meeting with French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard in Paris on Wednesday (Oct 7), Zon outlined plans to strengthen the visibility of Indonesian culture in France through several cultural programs.
The programs include Indonesian music concerts or recitals, a fashion exhibition showcasing Indonesian textile traditions and contemporary creativity, and an Indonesian fine arts exhibition.
Related news: Indonesia pushes revival of sustainable living traditions at G20
The collaboration between the two countries through the 2025 Borobudur Declaration continues to develop and needs to produce concrete programs that give people more space to learn about each other’s cultures.
In the heritage protection, the Indonesia’s Culture Ministry will work with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) Foundation after the successful conservation of the Wapauwe Mosque in Maluku in 2025.
The ministry will collaborate with the organization again to revitalize 10 priority projects in eight provinces.
The projects include Tjong A Fie Mansion in North Sumatra, Betang Longhouse in West Kalimantan, the Jakarta Kota Tua (Old Town) area and Maritime Museum in Jakarta, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Sendangduwur Village in East Java, and Leang Karampuang Cave in South Sulawesi.
Related news: Indonesia funds Aceh’s meugang beef tradition for disaster victims
Other projects include Mabur vernacular house in East Nusa Tenggara, Santo Petrus and Paulus Church in Maluku, Kaitetu Traditional Village in Maluku, and Rumphius Museum in Maluku.​​​​​​​
Zon also stressed the importance of strengthening conservation of Borobudur Temple, including protecting its reliefs from environmental pressure and climate change.
The two countries are following up on cooperation to improve conservation and museum capacity through the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN), an institution responsible for managing and preserving historic monuments in France.
In the film sector, Indonesia is pushing for the establishment of the Indonesia International Film Co-production Fund, targeted to start in 2027 with technical support from France’s National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC).
The two countries are also preparing the 3rd Indonesia-France Film Lab at the JAFF Market and discussing strengthening Indonesia’s presence at the Cannes Film Festival in 2028.
Related news: Indonesia, Netherlands to pursue joint research on Raden Saleh
Related news: Indonesia vows to strengthen UNESCO as pillar of world peace
Translator: Farika, Kenzu
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
Copyright © ANTARA 2026