JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenbud) has determined 514 new elements of the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTbI) for 2025. Thus, the total number of WBTbI that have been determined since 2013 to 2025 has reached 2,727.
The Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon who directly gave the Certificate of Determination of WBTbI also congratulated the dozens of provinces as proposers.
"I congratulate the 35 provinces that have registered Intangible Cultural Heritage or Intangible Cultural Heritage which tonight reached its peak. And the total number, as reported, is 514," said Fadli in his speech at the Appreciation WBTbI event at the Insan Berprestasi Plaza, Central Jakarta, Monday, December 15.
With the many elements that have been designated as WBTbI, Fadli sees it as proof that Indonesia as a country with great diversity (mega diversity) needs to be celebrated.
"Indonesia is a country with extraordinary cultural wealth and diversity. The word 'diverse' alone is no longer enough, so we encourage a new term, mega diversity, because there are so many cultural diversity and cultural expressions," said Fadly. "Starting from language, literature, oral traditions, rituals, manuscripts, traditional games, traditional sports, local food/culinary, and also customs and art."
However, the Minister of Education stated that the Ministry's work was not yet complete. The reason is that there are still many cultural elements that have not been designated as WBTbI.
The determination of WBTbI is important. Fadli said, an element can become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage if it is first designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage at the national level.
English:
"For the registration of the world's Intangible Cultural Heritage, it must first reach the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage," said Fadli.
"So, it can't be from WBTb at the provincial level or at the district/city level directly to be registered at UNESCO. It must go through the Indonesian WBTb first. This is a procedure that also applies internationally," he added.
After the designation of the kolintang, reog Ponorogo, and kebaya as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Fadli said, Indonesia has registered three new elements to be designated by the organization under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
"Next year we will receive three Intangible Cultural Heritage that we have registered, namely the single nomination is tempe. The second is jaranan, which I am sure there are many in our districts or provinces. And the third is Mak Yong from the Riau Islands," said Fadli.
"And now, there are dozens more that we are processing through the Directorate General of Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Cooperation for us to register at UNESCO. So, there are still many PRs related to this cultural heritage," he concluded.
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