Culture Minister backs Indonesia's MORSA event to strengthen literary and performing arts ecosystem

Culture Minister Fadli Zon has supported the Indonesia MORSA (Traditional Music, Orchestra, and Literature) event as a means to strengthen the performing arts and literary ecosystem nationwide. During a meeting with cultural figures from the MORSA team at the Culture Ministry in Senayan, Jakarta, he highlighted that community-driven activities can generate positive domino effects for the creative economy and local cultural empowerment. ‘The literary ecosystem requires collaboration from all parties. There must be synergy between the government, in this case the Culture Ministry, and universities to foster collective awareness,’ he said. Z stressed that advancing literature is not solely the responsibility of the government or cultural figures but requires involvement from universities and cultural communities. The Culture Minister added that the MORSA agenda aligns with the ministry’s vision to promote literary culture via the National Talent Management (MTN) programme. ‘We must develop segments, such as ways to appreciation of artistic works that can generate collaboration with relevant stakeholders,’ he said. Cultural figure Bambang Oeban explained that MORSA was established to pass the literary torch from masters to younger generations. ‘MORRA demonstrates how literature can be adapted and evolved to meet contemporary needs, with theatrical, monologue, dramaturgical, and multimedia creativity,’ he stated. The meeting was attended by various cultural figures and academics, including Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, Jose Rizal Manua, Joko Pran토, Gadjah Mada University Dean of professors Prof Baiquni, and theatre programme professor Yudiaryani. Closing the dialogue, Z encouraged artists and cultural practitioners to leverage government support through the Culture Endowment Fund or Indonesia Raya Fund to produce innovative literary works.