Fadli Zon urges younger generation to embrace Keris culture
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon is encouraging the younger generation to become more acquainted with and appreciate the Keris through digital approaches and interactive exhibitions, which are deemed more aligned with the habits of today’s youth.
“We hope that we can attract the younger generation to understand the Keris, and to appreciate both ancient Keris and new ones,” said Fadli after opening the Nusantara Keris Exhibition at the Museum Pusaka TMII, Jakarta, on Saturday.
The exhibition, held from 23 May to 28 June 2026, is part of the series of commemorations for National Keris Day 2026, featuring various collections of Nusantara Keris, a Keris collection exchange, and digital technologies such as video mapping and immersive displays.
“In the digital era, material objects become very important. The Keris is part of a material culture that can be owned, collected, preserved, and serve as a personal adornment,” he stated.
He noted that strengthening literacy is key to changing the public perception that still frequently associates the Keris with mystical elements.
Fadli added that the government is also beginning to utilise digital technology to introduce Keris culture to the public, including through interactive applications that can display information regarding wuku, weton, and types of Keris deemed suitable to the visitor’s character.
In addition to ancient Keris, he also encouraged appreciation for contemporary Keris created by modern masters (empu), which are considered to possess high artistic value and are in demand in the international market.
According to him, the Nusantara Keris does not only develop on Java but is also spread across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, and Lombok, and even reaches several neighbouring countries.
He expressed hope that the involvement of the younger generation could become part of the relay for preserving the Keris culture, which has been recognised by UNESCO as a world intangible cultural heritage.
“Therefore, we must continue to develop good literacy and narratives about the Keris, because the Keris is a sublime cultural expression of our ancestors,” he concluded.