JAKARTA - Indonesia and France strengthen cultural cooperation, from museum management, heritage sites, films, animation, to literature. This agenda was discussed in a meeting between the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon and the French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard in Paris, Friday, April 24.
The meeting was a follow-up to the Joint Cultural Strategy or Borobudur Declaration which was agreed by the President of Indonesia and the President of France in 2025. For Indonesia, this cooperation is important because cultural heritage is not only maintained, but also managed, researched, exhibited, and provides value for the creative ecosystem.
"Indonesia considers France as one of the most important cultural partners in Europe," said Fadli Zon. He said that cooperation between the two countries since 2025 has become more concrete, from museums, cultural heritage, cultural industries, literacy, to talent exchange.
French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard said France welcomed the strengthening of cultural cooperation with Indonesia.
"France and Indonesia have a stronger and more concrete cultural partnership. We want to continue this momentum through cooperation that brings together cultural heritage, contemporary creation, professional mobility, and strengthening the cultural ecosystem in both countries," said Pégard.
During the meeting, both parties confirmed a number of projects, including the development of Borobudur and Prambanan as well as the establishment of a Museum Academy in Indonesia.
Two cooperation agreements were also signed. First, between the École du Louvre and the Indonesian Heritage Agency. Second, between the Centre des Monuments Nationaux and InJourney. This cooperation continues the collaboration that has been running, including between GrandPalaisRmn and IHA.
In the museum sector, as stated in a written statement received by VOI, Indonesia and France encourage the mobility of students and professionals. Indonesian professionals will have the opportunity to be placed in a number of major museums in Paris. Both countries are also preparing large-scale exhibition projects and joint research with the École française d'Extrême-Orient related to Hindu-Buddhist artifacts and Indonesian cultural heritage sites.
Cooperation also includes the development of films and animation. Both ministers noted the Indonesia-France Film Lab, the involvement of La Fémis and CNC, the plan to hold a joint production meeting in Paris in December 2026, and the Next Step Studio Indonesia program ahead of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Indonesia also welcomed the first participation in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. On the other hand, both countries encourage the preservation and restoration of film heritage.
In the field of literacy, both parties support the establishment of Choix Goncourt Indonésie, the strengthening of Read Indonesia, as well as cooperation with the Centre national du livre for residency, translation, publication, and exchange of literature.
This cooperation also opens up space for Indonesian students and cultural workers in institutions such as the École du Louvre, La Fémis, École Duperré, and ENSAD-PSL. For Indonesia, this cooperation can be a way to strengthen museum management, improve the way archives and artifacts are cared for, and open wider access for young cultural workers to international networks.
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