Indonesia-Iran Aim to Produce Joint Films, Cultural Cooperation Expanded

BHOPAL - Indonesia and Iran are preparing to expand cultural cooperation after the Cultural Exchange Programme 2023-2026 ends. Film, literature, museums, education, and cultural heritage are a number of areas that will be encouraged.

The plan was discussed by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon together with Deputy Minister of Culture of Iran Mohsen Javadi on the sidelines of the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Saturday, August 8.

"Indonesia and Iran have long-standing relations, especially in the cultural field. We need to update and strengthen these relations through increasingly concrete cooperation," said Fadli.

Both parties agreed to prepare a new cultural exchange program after the cooperation period 2023-2026 ended.

Its coverage includes cultural heritage, museums, literature and translation, film, creative industries, education, as well as inter-institutional and cultural actors.

Filmmaking is one of the priority areas. Fadli encourages joint production and exchange between industries. He also mentioned the adaptation of the Iranian film Children of Heaven in Indonesia as an example of the creative relationship between the two countries.

"In the future, we can explore more joint production opportunities between filmmakers from both countries," he said.

In the field of literature, Iran invited Indonesia to participate in the Tehran International Book Fair. Iran also offers a program to translate Persian literary works and international works into Persian.

Indonesia welcomed the offer and is exploring participation in the next event. The two countries also discussed cultural weeks and cultural tourism.

Cooperation within the framework of UNESCO is also on the agenda. Fadli encouraged closer collaboration after Indonesia was elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the period 2026-2030.

Indonesia also reiterated its desire to participate in the expansion of the multinational nomination of the Tradition of Iftar as well as exploring other joint nominations.

Mohsen Javadi welcomed the plan to update the cooperation. According to Mohsen, the end of the Cultural Exchange Programme 2023-2026 can be used to expand the Indonesian-Iranian cultural programme.

He assessed that the cultural relations of the two countries needed to be introduced to the younger generation through films, literature, music, education, and cultural tourism.

The meeting was also attended by the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, Acting Charge d'Affaires Ad Interim of the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi Yudho Sasongko, Director of Cultural Cooperation Mardisontori, and a number of Iranian cultural officials.