MAKASSAR - Indonesia and France strengthen cultural cooperation through literature and literacy. The agenda was discussed at the Connection Night on the sidelines of the Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF) 2026 in Makassar, Friday, May 15.
The activities held by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture together with the French Embassy in Indonesia were a follow-up to the meeting between the Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and the French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard in Paris on April 22, 2026.
The Special Staff of the Minister of Culture for Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations, Anissa Rengganis, said this cooperation is aimed at opening wider access for Indonesian literary works at the global level.
According to Anissa, Indonesia and France will meet two major programs. The French government brought Choix Goncourt Indonésie. The Indonesian government encourages the Read Indonesia program and National Talent Management in the field of Literature.
"We will 'marry' two major programs, namely the Choix Goncourt Indonésie program from the French Government with the Read Indonesia program and National Talent Management in the Field of Literature from the Indonesian Government," said Anissa.
He called the presence of the French delegation at MIWF this year as an important initial step to carry out this cooperation.
Anissa emphasized that Connection Night is not just a meeting event. The forum is used to build a network of writers, artists, publishers, festival managers, and cultural stakeholders from both countries.
"We hope that this activity can produce concrete collaborations, ranging from cultural exchanges, book translation, writer residencies, to cooperation in future festivals," he said.
There are three strategic agendas prepared. First, Indonesia's participation in the Le Festival du Livre de Paris 2027 by bringing a delegation of Indonesian writers and publishers.
Second, France's involvement in the 2026 and 2027 Indonesia International Book Fair. Third, the development of translation subsidies for French publishers and other international publishers so that Indonesian literary works can be translated and published in more languages.
The agenda of translation is important because Indonesian literary works need direct access to publishers, readers, and international festivals. Without that path, many strong works from Indonesia are difficult to enter the global conversation.
The Connection Night was also attended by the French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone, Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin, Director of the Institut Français Indonésie Jules Irrmann, Director of the Japan Foundation Indonesia Inami Kazumi, Director of Rumata' Art Space Riri Riza, President of the Académie Goncourt Philippe Claudel, and Secretary General of the Publisher Éditions Gallimard Karina Hocine.
From the Ministry of Culture, there were the Director of Cultural Promotion Wawan Yogaswara, the Director of Digital Culture Development Insan Abdirrahman, and the Head of the South Sulawesi Cultural Preservation Agency Sinatriyo Danuhadiningrat.
Through this forum, the Ministry of Culture places literature as a diplomatic path of culture. The target is to expand access to Indonesian works, build a publishing network, and make Indonesian writers easier to enter the international stage.
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