Culture Minister Discusses Strengthening Cultural Cooperation with the Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan
Indonesia’s government continues to strive to strengthen cultural cooperation with Kazakhstan. The move forms part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy on the global stage.
This was disclosed by Culture Minister Fadli Zon when he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Kazakhstan, who also serves as Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mochamad Fadjroel Rachman, at the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
The meeting discussed several strategic agendas, including plans for a cultural forum during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Indonesia, collaboration in strengthening traditional silat, cooperation in film and performances, cooperation in museums, and strengthening memoranda of cooperation in the field of culture.
During the meeting, Ambassador Fadjroel conveyed the plan for President Tokayev’s visit to Indonesia scheduled for July. The state visit is currently in the coordination stage, including discussions at the level of the foreign ministries of both countries.
“Besides the political forum and business forum, a cultural forum featuring collaborative Indonesia-Kazakhstan art performances is also planned,” Fadjroel explained.
Ambassador Fadjroel added that Kazakhstan has a strong tradition in performing arts, including singing during state visits. He hopes the planned cultural forum will also involve local governments to present art performances that are representative and distinctive.
Meanwhile, Fadli Zon welcomed the enthusiastic plans for collaboration with Kazakhstan, particularly in the cultural field. He stressed that this cooperation could become a showcase for Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy on the international stage.
Fadli Zon also stated readiness to support the cultural forum by mapping the venues for the performances. As a concrete step, the two sides also discussed plans to sign a memorandum of cooperation between ministries in the field of culture during President Tokayev’s visit.
“Cooperation is also mapped in the development of pencak silat. This is based on the rapid development of silat in Kazakhstan as a sports branch that has recorded numerous outstanding achievements in several world championships. This potential is expected to be expanded not only in the sporting aspect but also in the arts and traditions dimension,” said Fadli Zon in a written statement, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).
He said pencak silat has two dimensions, namely art and sport.
“In culture, what we promote is its tradition, with silat as Intangible Cultural Heritage,” he added.
Going forward, this asset can also be developed from the art and tradition perspective, including by sending pencak silat practitioners to Kazakhstan.
The discussion also highlighted cooperation in the field of film. Fadli Zon said Fadjroel conveyed the interest of a Kazakh director to produce films in several locations in Indonesia. In addition, a number of Indonesian films have already been translated into Russian and screened in ‘watch parties’, including works by Indonesian filmmakers.
He emphasised that film cooperation schemes can be implemented through co-production mechanisms with partners in Indonesia. He also encouraged Kazakh filmmakers to participate in JAFF Market and Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival as part of strengthening both countries’ film ecosystems.
Not only film, Ambassador Fadjroel opened space for cooperation in museums and proposed support for Indonesia’s participation in the international singing competition ‘Voice of Turan’, which around 20 countries participate.
“This participation is seen as strategic to strengthen the top of mind of Indonesia’s cultural character in Central Asia,” concluded Fadli Zon.
Through this meeting, the Ministry of Culture continues to strive to strengthen cultural diplomacy as a bridge in the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Kazakhstan. The collaboration will not only promote cultural exchange between the two countries but also strengthen the creative ecosystem and expand space for sustainable cultural promotion.
As additional information, present at the meeting were also the Minister’s Expert Staff for Inter-Institutional Relations, Ismunandar, and the Director General for Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation, Endah T.D. Retnoastuti.