Indonesia and France are enhancing their cultural cooperation with a focus on heritage conservation, film production, museums, literature, music, and contemporary art. This partnership seeks to elevate Indonesian culture’s visibility in France and foster cultural exchanges between the two nations.
On October 7, Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon met with French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard in Paris to discuss the development of joint cultural programs. The initiatives proposed include Indonesian music performances, fashion exhibitions showcasing traditional textiles alongside modern designs, and exhibitions of Indonesian fine art.
The collaboration builds on the 2025 Borobudur Declaration, which is designed to fortify cultural ties and engage the public with the cultural heritage of both countries. An essential component of this cooperation involves heritage conservation, with Indonesia collaborating with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) Foundation to revitalize 10 key heritage projects across eight provinces. This follows the successful conservation of the Wapauwe Mosque in Maluku in 2025.
The selected heritage sites for revitalization include Tjong A Fie Mansion in North Sumatra, the Betang Longhouse in West Kalimantan, Jakarta’s Kota Tua historic district and Maritime Museum, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Sendangduwur Village in East Java, and Leang Karampuang Cave in South Sulawesi. Other projects encompass the Mabur vernacular house in East Nusa Tenggara, Santo Petrus and Paulus Church, Kaitetu Traditional Village, and Rumphius Museum in Maluku. Minister Zon emphasized the necessity of protecting Borobudur Temple’s historic reliefs from environmental pressures and climate change, with ongoing discussions on improving conservation methods and museum management in cooperation with France’s Centre des monuments nationaux.
The film industry is another focal point of this partnership, with Indonesia planning to launch the Indonesia International Film Co-production Fund in 2027 with technical assistance from France’s National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image. Both countries are also preparing for the third Indonesia-France Film Lab at the JAFF Market, an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between filmmakers and bolstering international film projects. Additionally, discussions are underway to increase Indonesia’s presence at the Cannes Film Festival in 2028.
This expanded partnership is anticipated to open new avenues for cultural exchange, safeguard Indonesia’s historic sites, and bolster collaboration between Indonesian and French artists, filmmakers, and cultural institutions.
