Not Just Clothing, Kemenbud Supports Ulos As A World Heritage

Ulos illustration (Instagram/@potraitbyfaisal)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon received an audience with the Batak Center National Management Board in Jakarta, Monday, August 5, 2025. The meeting discussed concrete efforts to preserve Batak culture and the potential for strategic collaboration between the Batak Center and the Ministry of Culture.

One of the main proposals is the establishment of the Batak Museum in the Lake Toba area and the submission of ulos cloth as a UNESCO Takbent Cultural Heritage (WBTb). The Ulos Festival is also scheduled to be held in November 2025 as part of a strategy to popularize Batak cultural heritage globally.

"Ulos is not just a cloth. There is sacred value, history, and identity in it. We want this legacy to be recognized by the world," said the Chairman of the Batak Center, Sintong M. Tampubolon.

Menbud Fadli welcomed all ideas. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to support cultural promotion programs, including through the Indonesian Fund and strengthening thematic museum.

"We are ready to facilitate. Culture is not only a matter of the past, but also the future of the nation," said Fadli. He highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach between the state, society and the private sector.

The Batak Museum, which is designed by the Batak Center, is said to be a center for education, documentation, and cultural preservation that strengthens local identity and supports Lake Toba tourism.

The Ulos Festival with the theme Connection and Connectivity will be a transgenerational space to connect traditions with the future. Previously, the first Ulos Fest was successfully held at the National Museum in 2019.