Fadli Zon In Gorontalo: Bung Karno And Nani Wartabone Become Nationalism Inspirations

GORONTALO Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of historical preservation as the foundation for the formation of national characters while reviewing a number of historical sites in Gorontalo. He visited Soekarno Landing House, Gorontalo Museum, and Nani Wartabone National Hero's residence, Wednesday, October 15.

In this place, Bung Karno landed on a amphibious plane in 1951. Gorontalo did not yet have an airport, and the people welcomed him with great enthusiasm. This moment became a symbol of the unification of the nation after the time of the Republic of Indonesia, "said Fadli Zon in his statement, Thursday, October 16.

He emphasized that Bung Karno's visit at that time was not just a state visit, but a consolidation of the spirit of nationality towards a complete and sovereign Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The year 1951 was the first year that Indonesia reaffirmed its identity. That's a moment that we must take care of," he said.

At the Gorontalo Museum, Fadli Zon reviewed collections of regional big figures such as Nani Wartabone, BJ Habibie, and HB Jassin. He assessed that museums need to be transformed to be more relevant to the younger generation. "We will encourage digitization of museums with LED, multimedia, and interactivity to be more attractive to the millennial generation, Gen Z, to Gen Alfa," he explained.

The agenda continues to Nani Wartabone's grave in Bone Bolango. Fadli and Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail visited the hero's house which is now proposed to be a cultural heritage and Nani Wartabone Museum. This house is almost a century old and has a trace of the struggle on January 23, 1942, when red and white flew in Gorontalo a symbol of the birth of the spirit of independence from the region," he said.

Fadli emphasized that historical heritage must be a center for nationalism education for the younger generation. "We will support this house to become a museum with a storyline that is easily understood by the public. History should not be simply memorized, but turned on," he said.

Through this visit, the Ministry of Culture strengthened its commitment to preserving Gorontalo cultural heritage as a source of inspiration and national pride. "Gorontalo has extraordinary historical and cultural wealth. Our common task is to make it not only a memory of the past, but also a source of inspiration and pride for the future," concluded Minister Fadli Zon.