Minister Of Culture Fadli Zon Supports The Restoration Of Banten's Historical Sites

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, received a visit from artists and the ranks of the Serang City Government at Building E of the Ministry of Culture, Central Jakarta, Monday, July 7. This meeting discussed strengthening Banten's cultural potential and concrete steps to restore historical sites.

"We fully support the efforts to develop culture in Serang City. Now we are starting to grow collective awareness that culture is the foundation of development," said Menbud Fadli Zon as quoted on Tuesday, July 8.

One of the main agendas is the plan to celebrate Serang City's 18th anniversary. The City Government will hold a series of art events with the theme "Pepetan Wewe", a typical Banten entertainment tradition with a giant doll resembling ondel-ondel. Pepetan means creation, while we refers to the figure of a demon or a jinn.

Celebration begins with the MSME exhibition. Followed by Fun Run, thematic cultural parade, Serang Fair, pilgrimage and sowing flowers, to the Culture Congress of Serang City on August 30, 2025.

Fadli emphasized the importance of revitalizing the site of the Surosowan Palace, Kaibon Palace, and Speelwijk Fort. This area is considered to be an icon of Indonesian culture equivalent to Borobudur and Prambanan.

"We need a picture of the plan for the restoration process. Later we can work together to find old documents from Europe," said Fadli. He is optimistic that the gradual restoration will restore the glory of Banten's history.

Deputy Mayor of Serang, Nur Agis Aulia, also expressed his appreciation. He emphasized the need for central and regional synergy. "We want to facilitate cultural observers so that their potential develops," he said.

The meeting ended with a commitment to maintain a cultural ecosystem and encourage sustainable collaboration. "Tulty is the key to regional development. Attack must be an example of sustainable historical heritage management," concluded Fadli.