Soroti Museum Radya Pustaka, Menbud Fadli Says Large Collection, Displaying Format Must Change

SURAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon highlighted the need for serious improvements at the Radya Pustaka Museum, Surakarta, even though the oldest museum in Indonesia has a collection of high value. According to him, the strength of the collection alone is not enough if it is not supported by a strong display system, a clear storyline, and digitization that is relevant to today's visitors.

The confirmation was conveyed by Fadli when reviewing the Radya Pustaka Museum, Thursday, March 26, in a series of working visits in Surakarta. The museum, which was established on October 28, 1890, stores ancient manuscripts, Javanese cultural artifacts, puppets, kris, gamelan, and various other historical objects.

Fadli assessed that the historical and cultural value of the museum's collection was very high. However, this great potential must be followed by an update on how to present it so that the museum is not left behind and remains interesting, especially for the younger generation.

"The collection of the Radya Pustaka Museum is very important, ranging from artifacts to manuscripts of high value. The arrangement and presentation need to be strengthened to make it more interesting," said Menbud Fadli.

He emphasized that the experience of visitors is now an important point. Therefore, strengthening storytelling and digital touch is considered urgent so that museums are not only a space to store old objects, but also a living learning space.

"Strengthening storytelling and digital touch is important so that museums can be closer to the younger generation, especially Gen Z," he said.

Radya Pustaka Museum has long been known as one of the centers for storing Javanese cultural heritage, with a collection of ancient Javanese-language manuscripts, wayang kulit, Hindu-Buddhist sculptures, and other cultural objects that record the development of civilization in Java.

During the review, Fadli was accompanied by the Mayor of Surakarta Respati Achmad Ardianto, the Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat family, representatives of the Surakarta City Government, and the Ministry of Culture. Fadli emphasized that museums must be developed as cultural showcases and learning spaces that foster public historical awareness, especially the younger generation.