Minister of Culture Fadli Zon Urges Public to Understand History Through Philatelic Archives
Culture Minister Fadli Zon urged the public to read and understand the nation’s history through philatelic archives that document key events in Indonesia’s journey. The call was made during the Public Philatelic Lecture titled “Reading the Nation’s History Through Philatelic Archives” held at Gedung Oudetra in Semarang’s Old Town area, Central Java.
The event is part of the philatelic exhibition “Under the Clutches of the Elder Brother: Traces of the Japanese Occupation in Indonesia Through Philatelic Archives (1942–1945)”, organised to broaden public understanding of philately as a historical and cultural archive of the nation.
Fadli Zon emphasised that philately serves as a historical archive recording significant events in the nation’s journey. He stated that stamps, letters, and postal documents hold traces of social, political, and cultural changes that can help the public comprehend historical periods more deeply.
He considered philatelic exhibitions an effective medium to bring the public closer to history through authentic and accessible sources. “Through philatelic archives, we can see the signs of the times that record social, political, and cultural changes throughout the nation’s journey. Stamps, letters, and postal documents are not merely collectibles but also sources of knowledge that aid in reading history more comprehensively,” he said, according to an official statement on Monday, 1 June.
During the event, Fadli Zon encouraged the public to view the Japanese occupation period in Indonesia as a significant and complex historical episode. He noted that the occupation era not only brought suffering and oppression but was also part of global historical dynamics that ultimately paved the way for Indonesia’s independence.
“History is not always black and white. Therefore, the current generation must critically examine the dynamics of that period based on verifiable facts and historical sources,” he added.
The Public Philatelic Lecture was organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Semarang City Government, the Central Board of the Indonesian Philatelists Association (PFI), and Rumah PoHan. The event serves as a dialogue space between government, academics, philatelic communities, history enthusiasts, cultural practitioners, and the general public to build collective awareness of the importance of archives as part of the nation’s collective memory.