Minister Of Kebudayaa Fadli Zon Supports The Archipelago Cultural Traditional Festival, Encourages Digitalization Of Local Heritage

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, expressed his full support for the plan of the Nusantara Cultural Traditional Festival initiated by the Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (MATRA). This festival is expected to be a forum for promoting local culture as well as strengthening the brotherhood of indigenous peoples throughout Indonesia.

"The Ministry of Culture wants to work together. Whatever the form of cooperation, it must be the spearhead of Indonesian culture," said Fadli when receiving the MATRA management at the Ministry of Culture Building, Tuesday, July 1.

MATRA is an organization that unites traditional leaders in various regions with a unique approach. The kings who still have the throne do not enter the management, but are appointed as advisors to maintain equality and respect.

During the meeting, MATRA explained a number of collaboration programs. Among other things, traditional training for the younger generation, annual festivals, cultural site revitalization, strengthening oral traditions, and digitizing cultural collections.

Fadli emphasized the importance of documenting local culture. "From NTB alone there are around 1,800 ejections that have not been digitized. This is a big job that we must accelerate," he said.

The Archipelago Cultural Traditional Festival is designed as an annual event that brings together kings and traditional stakeholders. In addition to performing arts, this festival is a means to increase public awareness of the importance of preserving ancestral heritage.

Menbud Fadli said that his party would maximize the Indonesianna Fund as concrete support for the customary community. "We will assist so that indigenous peoples can more easily access these funds," he said.

Regarding the proposal to strengthen the local culture curriculum in schools, Fadli expressed full support. Although curriculum policies are in the Ministry of Education and Culture, his party is ready to bridge coordination. If there is input from MATRA, we can help push to Dikdasmen," he said.

The MATRA representative, Sri Detains KGPAA, expressed the readiness of his institution to support the cultural resilience program. According to him, strengthening customs is an important foundation for national unity.

This meeting was also attended by the Director General of Cultural and Traditional Protection, Restu Gunawan; Expert Staff of the Minister, Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani; Director of Trust in God Almighty and Indigenous Society, Sjamsul Hadi; as well as a number of ministry officials.

Closing the meeting, Fadli hopes that the Archipelago Cultural Traditional Festival can be held regularly and become a motor for the revival of local culture. "This festival is expected to strengthen the brotherhood of indigenous peoples and maintain Indonesia's cultural heritage," he concluded.