Inaugurating Indonesia International Book Fair 2025, Minister Of Culture Affirms Literacy As Pillar Of Cultural Diplomacy

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon opened the 2025 Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF). (IST)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, opened the 2025 Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF) which was held by the Indonesian Issuance Association (IKAPI) at the Assembly Hall, Jakarta International Convention Center (JCC). In his remarks, Menbud Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of literacy as a foundation for the nation's development as well as the door to cultural diplomacy that bridges Indonesia with the international world.

Carrying the theme Exploring Content, Enlightening Mind, IIBF 2025 became a meeting place for ideas across the nation in the midst of the swift flow of information and challenges of the digital era. According to Menbud Fadli, this theme reminds the essence of literacy, namely reading with awareness, writing with meaning, and publishing with vision. Quality content not only enrichs insight, but also strengthens the character and strengthens the nation's identity," he said.

Not only is it an exhibition of books, according to Menbud Fadli, IIBF functions as a cultural diplomacy space, where writers, publishers, and literacy agents exchange ideas and inspiration. This year, IIBF is not only followed by domestic publishers, but also by publishers and literacy agents from various countries who join as executors and active participants in the Indonesia Rights Fair (IRF) program. IIBF displays more than 70 Indonesian Rights Fair (IRF) participants from 17 countries, signaling that Indonesia's literacy is taking into account at the global level.

On this occasion, Menbud Fadli also emphasized that the Ministry of Culture places literacy and publishing as an important part of the National Talent Management (MTN) of Cultural Arts. Through MTN, the government seeks to identify, foster, and connect the nation's superior talents, including writers, translators, editors, illustrators, and publishers," said Menbud Fadli. In line with that, continued Menbud Fadli, the government introduced the MTN Translation Funding program to support the translation of Indonesian works into various languages, as well as launching the Indonesia Rights Fair Fellowship Program 2025 to bring together international publishers with Indonesia's literacy potential.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Issuance Association (IKAPI), Arys Hilman Nugraha, said the importance of consistency and durability of the IIBF 2025 exhibition which is entering its 45th age. He emphasized that government support and the presence of international partners are important factors in the continuity of IIBF as a place for literacy and cultural diplomacy. The existence of IIBF for 45 years is a great achievement in terms of consistency and resilience. In fact, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and the book industry was hit hard, IIBF remained firmly established," he said. According to him, IIBF 2025 is not only present as an exhibition, but also an effort to expand access to reading, strengthen the publishing ecosystem, as well as foster a culture of reading in society.

On the same occasion, the Chairperson of the IIBF 2025 Committee, Wahyu Rinanto, said that by presenting participation from 20 countries, 125+ participants, 150+ literacy events, and 160+ resource persons, IIBF 2025 became the space for dialogue, transactions, and innovation needed by the Indonesian book industry.

Taking place from September 24, 2025, a number of flagship programs also enlivened IIBF this year, including the IRF program which was held on the first three days of the exhibition, becoming a copyright transaction event attended by 80 publishers and script agents from Indonesia and abroad, including Malaysia, Korea, Japan, India, China, Iran, Egypt, Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, to the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Through the IRF, publishers will seek each other potential books to be published in their respective countries.

In addition, there is Lit Connect, the first program that brings together book industry players with film, game, and IP professionalism. The Story Market program, which returns after its success in 2024, brings together publishers, studios, web platforms, and content buyers. IIBF 2025 is incomplete without various discussions, talk shows, seminars, book launches, authors' meeting and authors' signature sessions. IIBF 2025 also presents exhibitions and an illustration exchange. During the five days of organizing, more than 50 agenda items are ready to be held, presenting literacy spirit in an inclusive and lively atmosphere.

The opening of the IIBF 2025 was also attended by ambassadors from friendly countries, including Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, Oman, Iraq, Algeria, to Afghanistan. In addition, there were also representatives of book publishers from within and outside the country, bookwriters, writers, and illustrators.

Accompanied by the Minister of Culture, the Director General of Development, Utilization, and Culture Development Ahmad Mahendra was present; Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation, Endah TD Retnoastuti; and Special Staff to the Minister for Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations, Anissa Rengganis.

Ending his remarks, Menbud Fadli believed that literacy is part of cultural diplomacy. "Books are envoys who never get tired of walking from generation to generation, from one nation to another. Through books, we introduce local wisdom, strengthen identity, as well as build bridges between civilizations," he said.

Therefore, Menbud Fadli invites all publishers, writers, readers, and international partners, to make IIBF 2025 a new milestone. Let's encourage more Indonesian works to be present in the world, let's support young writers to grow, let's build a culture of reading from an early age, and let's make literacy an inseparable part of the nation's development strategy," he concluded.