Minister of Culture: Culture is the Long-Term Foundation for Improving People's Welfare

Bengkulu (ANTARA) - Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, sees the potential and encourages the strengthening of Bengkulu’s cultural ecosystem so that it can become a regional asset to improve the welfare of the community.

“The potential is great. We hope that more attention will be given by the provincial and district/city governments to culture. Because it is culture that is sustainable. If natural resources have limits, culture can continue to live and develop,” said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in Bengkulu, Thursday.

The Minister emphasized that culture should not be seen as a complementary sector, but as a foundation for long-term development that can strengthen regional identity while improving the welfare of the community.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that strengthening the cultural ecosystem must be done in an integrated manner, starting from protection, development, to utilization.

He encourages provincial and district/city governments to provide more space for artists and creative communities so that they can grow sustainably.

The Minister also highlighted the utilization of historical areas as productive creative spaces. Fort Marlborough is considered to have the potential to become a center for art activities such as exhibitions, performances, to national and international-scale festivals.

According to him, what is needed now is ideas and imagination to bring cultural spaces to life so that they are not just historical sites, but also centers for community interaction and collaboration.