Read Indonesia, How the State Brings Indonesian Literature to the World

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon launched Read Indonesia, a digital platform prepared as an official door for the promotion of national literary works to be global. (IST)

JAKARTA - The state began to intervene directly to bring Indonesian literature to the global market. The Ministry of Culture launched Read Indonesia, a digital platform prepared as the official door for the promotion of national literary works to be better known, translated, and connected with the world's literary ecosystem.

The platform, which can be accessed through readindonesia.id, was launched by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at the Ministry of Culture Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 23. Read Indonesia is designed as an international reference containing Indonesian literary works, writer profiles, festival agendas, to national literary achievements and awards.

Read Indonesia is supported by the Directorate of Cultural Promotion, Directorate General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation. His presence marks a change in the country's approach from separate promotions to a more planned, curated, and global-oriented system.

Minister of Education Fadli Zon emphasized that the launch of Read Indonesia is not merely a digital platform. According to him, this is the first step in building a sustainable and responsible literary promotion system at the international level.

He highlighted the great potential of Indonesian literature that has not been fully known to the world, especially due to limitations on translation and global networks. Therefore, Read Indonesia is positioned as a bridge connecting writers, publishers, and readers across countries.

"This platform is not the end goal. It must be supported by strong curation policies, consistent translation programs, and strengthening the capacity of national writers and publishers to be able to interact with the global ecosystem," said Fadli.

Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T. D. Retnoastuti said, Read Indonesia answered the long-standing need for an integrated and easily accessible space for the promotion of Indonesian literature. Since the beginning of 2025, his party has also formed a Literature Promotion Team to prepare a promotion strategy from upstream to downstream.

Indonesia, continued Endah, will assume a strategic role as the Guest of Honour of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026, which requires the active involvement of writers, publishers, and national literary stakeholders.

Read Indonesia emphasizes the commitment of the Ministry of Culture in strengthening the national literature ecosystem. This effort is carried out through collaboration across stakeholders and the placement of literature as an important part of Indonesian cultural diplomacy. His presence also opens up opportunities for wider collaboration between writers, publishers, and cross-country partners.