Ministry Of Culture Holds Local Food Culture, Encourages Nusantara Food For Sovereignty And Sustainability

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon held the Nusantara Local Food Culture Industry at the National Museum of Indonesia. (IST)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia held thenduri of the Local Food Culture of the Archipelago at the National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, October 13'19, 2025. Carrying the theme 'Investing Seeds, Declining Life', this event commemorates International Food Day as well as being part of the Local Food Movement of the Archipelago, a cultural initiative to raise local wisdom and the diversity of traditional Indonesian food.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that food is not only a matter of physical needs, but also the identity of the nation.

Our local food is a cultural heritage, a reflection of the traditions and identity of the nation. Each region has a food cultural system that is born from long interactions between humans, nature, and ancestral beliefs," he said when opening an event at the National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, Monday, October 13.

The philosophy of kenduri, he continued, illustrates the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. This tradition is now an important symbol in preserving local food and health for the nation's generation.

According to Fadli Zon, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, food issues are a national priority. Food, energy, downstream, and Free Nutrition Food is a strategic step towards Indonesia Gold 2045, "he explained.

The Local Food Movement of the Archipelago, he added, is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, and Respondible Consumption and Production.

"Preserving local food culture means strengthening national sovereignty and food security amid global challenges such as climate change and import dependence," said Fadli Zon.

The curator of the activity, Meilati Batubara, explained that Kenduri Budaya presents exhibitions, workshops, people's markets, and cultural discussions by involving indigenous peoples from various regions.

"The most important part of this longing is the presence of indigenous peoples in Jakarta. They will receive briefing on the preservation of food culture in their respective regions," he said.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha, officials from the ministry, and national cultural figures.

Executive Director of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Business Management Agency, Esti Nurjadin, added, the exhibition Semai: Sow Seeds, Menai Life displays 163 cultural objects related to food' 120 collections of National Museums and 43 from Fadli Zon Library.

This exhibition is a reflection space between arts, culture, and ecological awareness. We are invited to look back at human relations with food sources as heritage and identity," he said.

Closing the event, Fadli Zon emphasized his commitment to preserving local food culture with indigenous peoples.

"Local fields, if developed seriously, can become an ecosystem of Indonesia's cultural economy and culinary diplomacy in the eyes of the world," he concluded.