Culture and tourism

Former director general of culture Edi Sedyawati's article, A matter of cultural empowerment, Nov. 8, 1999, neglects the crucial difference between culture and cultural industries. Cultural industries refers to the exploitation (in this case not meant to be perceived in a negative sense) of cultural entities and manifestations. The difference between culture and cultural industries is parallel to the difference between the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture that existed toward the end of the New Order.

Be that as it may, I would like raise some points for consideration. In countries where cultural industries have developed tremendously, such as the U.S., France and Britain, although the role that the governments play are indeed important, it is not central. They act more as facilitators, opening up avenues through which the private sector are hoped to bring the cultural industries to the fore.

In all fairness, the government can boast many products from cultural industries that the country can be proud of (among other things, of course, Ibu Edi's brainchild, the Indonesian Dance Festival). However, in general, it has to be admitted that the government certainly has proven ineffective in developing our nation's cultural potential. The government's failure has been largely attributed to the lack of funds and the need for the government to include and satisfy different constituents.

While I agree that the government should still play an central role in administering certain aspects of culture (such as determining, protecting and preserving archeological sites and national treasures), the government should step aside and let the private sector (artists, cultural operators and entrepreneurs) play its part in developing cultural industries. Non-governmental organizations and foundations can also take part in preserving and developing cultural products that are significant but do not have much popular appeal.

Finally, true advancement of cultural industries will only become possible when a complete freedom in the presentation and representation of culture. Culture and cultural industries would certainly not be able to develop when suppression of cultural expression (for example censorship and bannings) still exist in a society. The government should not only no longer be involvement in any repressive acts toward any form of culture, but should take an active role in fighting for the continuity and growth of every culture and cultural manifestation. Approaching the turn of the millennium, governments are inevitably bound to play a different, less central role in societies, even, or especially, in this new Indonesia.

AMIR SIDHARTA

Jakarta