Culture Ministry Urges North Sulawesi Provincial State Museum to Become Cultural and Economic Infrastructure

In his remarks, Fadli emphasised the role of the museum not only as a place to preserve history and culture, but also as upstream infrastructure in the cultural economy, a source of narratives, inspiration, new creation, and added value for regional development. He also encouraged collaboration in museum management under a public-private partnership scheme involving philanthropists who care about art, culture, and museums, to help advance the museum. ‘Museums are one of the showcases of culture and civilisation that advance Indonesia’s national culture in the face of world civilisation. I hope the North Sulawesi Provincial State Museum will continue to be our pride, an example of an inclusive, vibrant regional museum,’ Fadli said in a written statement on Saturday (23 May 2026). The construction and revitalisation of the North Sulawesi Provincial State Museum is an initiative of the North Sulawesi provincial government to preserve the values of the local culture of North Sulawesi so that it advances, prospers, and remains sustainable. The new face of the North Sulawesi Provincial State Museum is expected to serve as a good practice for regional museums that are inclusive and impactful. Moreover, the museum’s benefits can be felt by the public; not only education and recreation, but also a source of inspiration and narratives in promoting culture. Meanwhile, North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus expressed his commitment to safeguarding and preserving the museum, which has existed since 1974. ‘Of course this state museum is a source of pride for the people of North Sulawesi. Therefore we agree to maintain, safeguard, and learn about the history of North Sulawesi, both past and present. Because it contains the past and uses modern AI technology, this is a blend of traditional and conventional and modern,’ said Yulius. For information, the revitalisation ceremony of the North Sulawesi Provincial State Museum also included the presentation of 21 intangibe Cultural Heritage certificates (Intangible Cultural Heritage) represented by seven regencies/cities in North Sulawesi; and the presentation of three Provincial Cultural Heritage certificates to two regencies and one National Cultural Heritage certificate to Minahasa Utara Regency. The North Sulawesi government also handed over BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to 1,000 performers and communities in the arts and culture sector, and presented Kolintang musical instruments to seven studios across seven regencies in North Sulawesi. Present with the North Sulawesi Governor were: Manado Mayor Andrei Angouw; Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey; North Sulawesi Secretary Tahlis Gallang; and senior officials, as well as culture figures in North Sulawesi. Also in attendance with the Minister of Culture were Special Staff for Protocol and Household Affairs, Rachmanda Primayuda; Director of History and Museology, Agus Mulyana; and Head of North Sulawesi Centre for Cultural Preservation, Anton Hariyanto.