The Signing Of Cooperation Between Indonesian And Foreign Publishers, Minister Of Culture Encourages Strategic Steps To Introduce Indonesian Literature To The International World

The first MoU signing session began between Gramedia Pustaka Utama (GPU) and the publisher of PTS Malaysia for the book Welcome Feeling and Blooming Graceful by Rara Nur Mega. (IST)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia through the National Talent Management program (MTN) of Cultural Arts collaborates strategically with a number of foreign publishers at the Indonesia International Book Fair (IIBF) 2025. Collaborating with the Indonesian Issuance Association (IKAPI), MTN Cultural Arts is present at IIBF through IRF Fellowship, of which 22 publishers and script agents from various countries are specifically invited to explore the copyright of Indonesian books in the hope that more local works can be published abroad.

Located at the Jakarta International Convention Center, Senayan, on this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed or memorandum of understanding, between several publishers from Indonesia and foreign publishers. The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, who was also present at the procession welcomed the opportunity to introduce Indonesian literature to the international world.

"Many of our manuscripts will be translated, will be part of the promotion of culture and literacy in the world. One of these initiatives is carried out through the National Talent Management program of Cultural Arts to develop the capacity of Indonesian talents spread across various regions," explained the Minister of Culture when giving a speech.

The Minister of Culture then expressed his support for publishers and literary activists, as well as inviting all parties to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration, especially stakeholders, to encourage Indonesian works to be present and appreciated by the international community.

"We also need to support young writers, new writers, to grow, raise our culture, and spread our stories. Thus, our literacy will be an important part of national development, the development of national character, and become the foundation for the identity of our nation," concluded Menbud Fadli.

The first MoU signing session began between Gramedia Pustaka Utama (GPU) and the publisher of PTS Malaysia for the book Welcome Feeling and Blooming Graceful by Rara Nur Mega. Furthermore, the GPU collaborated with the Legacy of Heart from Malaysia for the book Tak Ada Asu Among Us by Joko Pinurbo. Then, the GPU collaborated with Bibliopress Malaysia for the book A Man Who Through Condolences by Washing a plate by Dr. Andreas Kurniawan.

The second signing session was carried out by the publisher Mekar Cipta Lestari (MCL) along with the publisher Prapansan from Thailand for Stefano Romano's book Damba, Lara, and Cinta. After that, the signing session was attended by the publisher of Bentang Pustaka with the Thai Prepansan for Feby Indirano's book Buah Maria.

In the last session, the publisher Asta Publishing signed an agreement with the Mountai Publishing of Ghana for several books, namely the Tree and Egg from the series of my imagination stories, as well as The Monkey and the putrady Claw and Stan and the Dragon. Then it was followed by the signing carried out by the Borobudur Agency with Sesava Publishing from Egypt for the book Negeri Lima Menara by Ahmad Fuadi, and finally, Al-Kausar's library works closely with Nestil Publishing represented by the Inkolema Agency in Turkey for the book Muhammad Al-Fatih.

The signing ceremony also accompanied the Minister of Culture, namely: Director General of Development, Utilization and Development of Culture, Ahmad Mahendra; Director General of Cultural Promotion and Diplomacy, Endah TD Retnoastuti; and General Chairperson of the Indonesian Issuance Association (IKAPI), Arys Hilman Nugraha.

In addition to the IRF Fellowship, this year also launched the MTN Translation Funding Program (TFP) which offers financial support for international publishers who translate the works of Indonesian writers. Through MTN TFP, it is hoped that it can expand Indonesia's literacy reach and build global appreciation for the heritage of Indonesian literature.

Through the support of MTN Cultural Arts at IIBF, the Ministry of Culture hopes that young talents in the field of literature will not only grow in number, but can also compete in quality at the global level.