Not Just a Static Heritage, Fadli Zon Targets Culture as a Civilization Investment in 2026

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture has begun mapping a major step for 2026. No longer just preserving the past, culture is now positioned as a driving force for identity, a unifying tool, and a source of national prosperity.

In a briefing "Reflection 2025, Policy 2026" held in Jakarta, Thursday (8/1), Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that the state must be present as a facilitator who builds a dynamic and inclusive cultural ecosystem.

"Culture is an investment in civilization. It determines the dignity of the nation and Indonesia's competitiveness in the world," said Fadli Zon.

Museum Transformation: From a Silent Room to a Center for Dialogue One of the red reports that has been successfully transformed into a 2025 achievement is the surge in visitors to the National Museum of Indonesia which reached 400 percent. This fantastic figure is the foundation for the government to carry out a massive museum transformation in 2026.

Currently, 516 museums have gone through the registration and standardization process. These museums are encouraged to no longer be just a place to store antiques, but rather an educational space, cultural diplomacy, and a space for historical dialogue that is open to the younger generation.

Dramatic Increase in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

2025 recorded a record in the preservation of national assets:

National Cultural Heritage: experiencing an increase of almost eight times, with a total of 313 objects.

Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb): Significantly increased from 2,213 to 2,727 cultural works.

Fadli Zon reminded that with more than 1,340 ethnic groups, Indonesia has the potential for tens of thousands of cultural expressions that are still waiting to be recognized and preserved.

Culture as an Economic and Diplomatic Strength

The cultural economy sector, especially the film industry, showed its fangs by reaching more than 80 million viewers throughout 2025. This achievement was followed by international recognition at various world film festivals.

In the global arena, Indonesian cultural diplomacy is increasingly aggressive. In 2026, Indonesia is confirmed to appear officially at the Venice Biennale, the most prestigious art event in the world. Bilateral cooperation with countries such as France, the United States, and Turkey has also been expanded to strengthen the bargaining position of the Nusantara culture.

Indonesiana Fund Rises to Rp6 Trillion

The most exciting news for cultural actors is the significant increase in the Indonesian Fund to Rp. 6 trillion in 2026. This fund is allocated to support around 2,800 communities and cultural actors throughout the country.

The government promises to continue to improve the governance of fund distribution so that it is more transparent and reaches areas that have experienced access inequality. "Without adaptation, culture can be abandoned. Without values, culture loses its direction," concluded Fadli.