Belajar Bersama Maestro Programme introduces wealth of bamboo varieties

The wealth of Indonesian bamboo varieties and the various ways of processing them were introduced in the Belajar Bersama Maestro Programme organised by the Ministry of Culture. According to a Ministry of Culture press release confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday, the Belajar Bersama Maestro Programme includes learning activities with Bamboo Craft Maestro Jatnika Nanggamiharja over 30 days in Cibinong, Bogor Regency, West Java Province. Saung Ranggon, a work by five participants of the 2026 Belajar Bersama Maestro Bamboo Craft programme with Maestro Jatnika Nanggamiharja, was exhibited in the ‘Pagelaran & Syukuran Belajar Bersama Maestro Bambu dan Senam Kebudayaan Indonesia.’ Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that Indonesia is one of the countries with many bamboo varieties. ‘Through the Belajar Bersama Maestro programme, the younger generation can learn how to care for, preserve and process bamboo directly from the experts,’ said Fadli, who described bamboo craft as part of cultural expression and an economic driver. ‘We hope that the maestros and seniors can channel and share their experience, knowledge and wisdom with the younger generation,’ he said. He said that bamboo has long been part of the lives of Indonesian people, who have used bamboo to build houses, make tools, write manuscripts, and even make weapons to support the struggle. ‘Indonesia is the country with the largest bamboo culture and creative economy in the world. Many works are made from bamboo, ranging from angklung, weaving, tools, furniture, medicines, food, to construction,’ he said. The Belajar Bersama Maestro Programme is a programme run by the Directorate of Cultural Value Empowerment and Intellectual Property Facilitation of the Ministry of Culture. The programme provides opportunities for the younger generation to learn directly with maestros by undertaking a 30-day residency in the area where the maestro works. The maestros presented in this year’s programme include Ahmad Tohari (literature), Sulistyo Tirtokusumo (bedhaya dance), Jatnika Nanggamiharja (bamboo craft), Musra Dahrizal Katik Rajo Mangkuto (randai), I Gusti Nengah Nurata (painting), and Jaja Miharja and Sanggar Sinar Jaya (Betawi lenong).