Culture Minister discusses Papua Museum ownership transfer in Germany

Culture Minister Fadli Zon discussed the transfer of ownership of the Papua Museum in Gelnhausen, Germany, with the Indonesian government during a meeting with Werner Weiglein, the museum’s manager. According to the ministry’s press release confirmed on Wednesday, the discussion took place during a meeting between the Culture Minister and Weiglein at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May. Culture Minister outlined plans to involve the Ministry of Culture’s Museum and Cultural Heritage Advisory Board in the ownership transfer process. He also urged in-depth discussions with relevant parties to gather input on the museum’s ownership transfer and the collection of approximately 1,700 items owned by Werner Weiglein. Ministry of Culture Secretary-General Bambang Wibawarta explained that the Directorate General of State Assets at the Ministry of Finance requires certain data and documents to process the museum’s donation acceptance. The required data includes building size and official property documents for the Papua Museum to assess the value of the building and collection prior to transfer to the Indonesian government. In the 1980s, he began travelling to regions in Indonesia such as Sulawesi and Papua. The Papua Museum, established and managed by Werner Weiglein in Germany, is recognised for its significant role in introducing Papua’s ethnographic heritage to the international community. Culture Minister praised Weiglein’s efforts to digitise his personal collection items to be handed over to the Ministry of Culture as the government’s representative. The Indonesian Ministry of Culture is committed to strengthening Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy, including through efforts to preserve, document, and promote the nation’s cultural heritage.