Indonesia, Timor-Leste strengthen bilateral cultural cooperation

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Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and Timor-Leste are discussing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, including the preservation of cultural heritage and cultural exchange programs.

According to a press release in Jakarta on Thursday, it was discussed during a meeting between Culture Minister Fadli Zon and Timor-Leste’s Junior Minister for Arts and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristovao, in Jakarta on August 12.

Both parties discussed cooperation in areas such as cultural heritage preservation, the management of museums and libraries, and cultural exchange programs.

“Given our many cultural similarities, we can explore the possibility of jointly nominating intangible cultural heritage for UNESCO recognition,” Fadli Zon said.

Other potential areas of collaboration, he noted, include reactivating the Indonesian Cultural House in Dili as a space for cultural collaboration and interaction between the two countries, as well as developing “Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy” activities.

“Furthermore, we are inviting Pacific nations, including Timor-Leste, to participate in cultural residencies at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta,” he said.

He added that the program could open up opportunities for collaboration among young artists.

Fadli Zon also expressed his commitment to advancing the “Center of Excellence for World Heritage” initiative, which is designed as a platform for learning, capacity building, and knowledge exchange on cultural heritage.

He also expressed appreciation for the Timor-Leste government’s support for Indonesia’s candidacy for the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026–2030 term.

Meanwhile, Timor-Leste’s Junior Minister for Arts and Culture Jorge Soares Cristovao highlighted opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in preserving traditional music and textiles, as well as in submitting joint nominations for intangible cultural heritage.

“Collaboration and joint nominations are crucial for preserving and developing our shared cultural heritage,” Cristovao said.

He also highlighted opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in library and museum management. According to him, construction of Timor-Leste’s National Library is scheduled to be completed next year.

He expressed hope that, following its completion, Timor-Leste’s National Library could collaborate with the National Library of Indonesia on training programs covering library management and cataloging.

“Furthermore, construction of the National Museum is scheduled for completion in mid-2028. Moving forward, we need to establish a partnership with the National Museum of Indonesia on museum management and operations,” he said.

Indonesia’s Minister of Culture said the Indonesian government was ready to assist Timor-Leste in developing its libraries and museums.

“Regarding libraries and museums, we can provide assistance, if needed, through exchanges of expertise, including in areas such as exhibition design and collection management,” Fadli Zon said.

He added that the Indonesian Ministry of Culture could also share its experience in implementing the “Museum Passport” program, which aims to promote museums to the public.

The governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste also discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral ties through the development of the Timor-Timor Pavilion at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII).

Fadli Zon announced plans to transform the existing Timor-Timor Museum at the site into an Indonesia-Timor-Leste Friendship Museum.