RI to propose Reog, kolintang, kebaya as UNESCO cultural heritages

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon announced that Indonesia will propose the traditional dance Reog Ponorogo, the Kolintang musical instrument, and the kebaya dress, to be recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

"In recent years, we've intensified our efforts to preserve our cultural heritage. A significant step is the upcoming UNESCO submission in December 2024," said Fadli Zon at the 2024 Indonesian Cultural Heritage Appreciation (AWBI) event here,  Saturday night.

Zon said that by nominating these cultural treasures, the government seeks to promote Indonesian culture globally and highlight the noble values embedded within it, such as cooperation, mutual respect, and diversity.

"Indonesia is undoubtedly one of the world's most culturally rich nations. Having traveled extensively, I can attest that no other country possesses such a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage," Zon emphasized.

To further bolster cultural preservation efforts, the Indonesian government has enacted Law Number 5 of 2017, which promotes the development of noble cultural values and strengthens national identity.

Additionally, Law Number 11 of 2010 ensures the protection, development, and sustainable utilization of cultural heritage as a vital component of Indonesia's identity.

He stressed the importance of community involvement, academic support, artistic expression, and youth engagement in preserving this invaluable heritage.

"These efforts cannot be solely undertaken by the government. The active participation of the community, academics, artists, and the younger generation is the key to our success in preserving cultural heritage," he concluded.