Minister Fadli Zon: Wayang Must Be Relevant To The Times And Contribute To World Civilization

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon (IST)

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia affirms its commitment to strengthening the wayang and gamelan ecosystem through the celebration of Week Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Wayang and Gamelan 2025 in Surakarta. This event is an important momentum to celebrate the world cultural heritage that UNESCO yang has recognized in 2008 and gamelan in 2021.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that wayang is not just a spectacle, but a guidance that is full of moral, ethical, and spiritual values. Wayang is a medium of education, da'wah, and self-reflection that is always relevant across generations," he said when opening the peak event at Solo City Hall, Friday night (7/11).

Fadli emphasized that under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the Ministry of Culture assumes the great task of protecting and developing culture. "Protecting alone is not enough. Culture must also be developed, utilized, and fostered so that it becomes a source of economic growth. Therefore, we recognize the term cultural economy," he said.

According to Fadli, the challenge going forward is to make wayang more relevant to today. He reminded, Article 32 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution affirms the responsibility of the Indonesian nation to bring national culture to contribute to world civilization. "This is our shared responsibility," he said.

Week ICH Wayang and Gamelan 2025 are designed to strengthen the regeneration of cultural actors. Activities involve artists, students, communities, people with disabilities, women, and children on various agendas, such as Puppet Community Carnival, Karawitan Festival, Young Sinden Competition, and Puppet Coloring Competition.

The event also presented the Gamelan Inclusive Discussion Forum which formulated the formation of a national gamelan organization forum. The peak night was closed with the Karawitan Nusantara Concert, the MSME Bazaar, and the 'Mauryo Bimo' Wayang Performance by Ki Purbo Asmoro, which was full of moral messages and values of life.

On that occasion, the government awarded the Wayang Ecosystem Award to puppet arts and gamelan conservation figures, including the late Seno Nugroho, Diyarman, Bambang Suwarno, and Nyi Supadmi.

Solo Mayor Respati Achmad Ardianto emphasized his regional commitment to maintaining the tradition of the archipelago. "Tultaya is not only preserved, but revived in a bolder and more beautiful way," he said.

Week ICH Wayang and Gamelan are clear evidence that cultural preservation does not stop at ceremonial, but continues to move into the economic power and identity of the nation.