Working Visit To Yogyakarta, Menbud Fadli Zon Highlights Revitalization And Cultural Heritage Governance

JAKARTA In the context of efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the archipelago, Menbud Fadli Zon made a working visit to Yogyakarta. This visit highlighted the government's commitment to protecting, developing, and utilizing cultural heritage and ensuring sustainable and broad management for the community.

Menbud Fadli Zon started his first agenda in Yogyakarta by directly inspecting the Yogyakarta Tugu Hotel Cultural Heritage building with the Region X Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) and representatives of the owner's family.

Built in 1881, the Tugu Hotel is one of the oldest colonial buildings in Yogyakarta which has high historical value. This hotel witnessed various important events, starting from the location of the meeting between Indonesia and the Three-State Commission (Australia, Belitia, United States) after the Dutch Military Aggression II and the General Attack on March 1, 1948," explained Menbud Fadli Zon in his discussion.

The Minister of Culture added that the Yogyakarta Tugu Hotel is in a strategic position as the face of the city and the gateway to culture. "The construction of the Tugu Hotel is also an integral part of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis, the imaginary line of culture that connects Mount Merapi, the Yogyakarta Palace, and the South Sea, and has been designated as the UNESCO World Heritage in 2023," he continued.

Currently, the condition of the Tugu Hotel building is abandoned. Therefore, the government and the owner's family agreed to encourage revitalization efforts based on the principle of mandate of Law Number 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Conservation. This revitalization is expected not only to maintain the integrity of the physical structure, but to revive its function as a productive public space.

Furthermore, the visit was continued to the Kantot of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region X in Sleman, Yogyakarta. The Minister of Education reviewed the collection of artifacts resulting from preservation and excavation from various important sites in the working area of BPK Region X.

"BPK Region X records more than 2,000 cultural collections from various important sites such as Prambanan, Plaosan, Dieng, as well as other sites, and has carried out 372 conservation activities throughout 2024, including artifact conservation, collection registration, and 316 community-based educational activities," said the Minister of Culture.

Several prominent artifacts include Arca Narasimha from the 9th century AD, one of the largest statues from the Sanjaya Dynasty depicting the incarnation of Lord Wisnu in the form of a lion, as well as Arca Wamana Triwikrama from the beginning of the Hindu Mataram Kingdom which presented the mythological story of Vamana who controlled three worlds with three steps.

In a joint discussion with BPK Region X, a number of strategic issues were discussed regarding the direction of cultural heritage conservation and management policies in Yogyakarta and Central Java, with working areas covering more than 120 cultural heritage sites and 11 museums including strategic areas such as Borobudur, Prambanan, Dieng, Plaosan, and Ratu Boko.

A number of important issues such as institutional strengthening and BPK's role in the new cultural heritage governance scheme; the development of international cooperation, including the initiative of the Government of India to support Prambanan's revitalization; as well as continuous utilization steps through the Community Partnership (PPP) scheme based on the cultural ecosystem.

"We also discuss the challenges of HR regeneration, especially caretakers and pugar interpreters, as well as the need for affirmative schemes and competency certification," explained Menbud Fadli Zon.

Menbud Fadli Zon encourages the use of cultural sites that not only strengthen aspects of protection and education, but also provide added value to the cultural economy.

Finally, he advised that future institutional arrangements must be oriented towards efficiency, sustainability, and national interests in caring for the legacy of world civilization.

Visiting Ora Aji, the Minister of Education said that differences must be a source of strength. In his working visit to Yogyakarta, the Minister of Culture took the time to visit the Ora Aji Islamic Boarding School, which was cared for by Mubaligh, Miftah Maulana Habiburrohman, or better known as Gus Miftah. On this visit, the Minister of Education and his extended family of PP Ora Aji celebrated Indonesian culture in the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr.

The Minister of Culture revealed the importance of showing wayang with 33 puppeteers as part of a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Wayang, along with keris, batik, and gamelan, according to him, is part of Indonesia's cultural wealth that must be preserved.

We are a country that has a lot of faith, and we need unity. How is that difference? Don't be a source of division, but differences must be a source of strength. I think our challenge that can make difference a source of power is only culture. Usually politics sometimes divides, sometimes but culture and art unite, "explained the Minister of Culture on that occasion.

According to Minister Fadli, the importance of unity in cultural diversity is also emphasized, with the hope that differences can become a source of strength. In a modern context, challenges to attract young people through technology and new media are also raised.

The Minister of Culture affirmed his commitment to advancing national culture and preserving cultural heritage, including historical sites such as Borobudur and Prambanan Temples.