Minister of Culture Releases 2026 Cultural Mission, Stresses Youth Role in Indonesian Culture

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has stated that the younger generation plays a crucial role as Indonesian Cultural Ambassadors, bringing the nation’s cultural wealth to the world stage. He made the remarks during the send-off for the SMA Labschool Kebayoran Cultural Mission, which will participate in the 38th International Competition and Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘Étoile de Paris’ in Paris, France, from 9 to 21 July 2026. On the occasion, Minister Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation to SMA Labschool Kebayoran for its commitment to advancing culture by consistently sending cultural missions since 2004. ‘The advancement of culture is our collective duty and a constitutional mandate as stipulated in Article 32, paragraph one of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia,’ the minister stressed. According to the Minister of Culture, Indonesia’s cultural diversity, which he termed ‘mega cultural diversity’, needs to be further introduced to the global community through various forms of cultural diplomacy, including international festivals, performing arts, music, literature, and film. ‘You will become Indonesian Cultural Ambassadors on the global stage. You are not only participating in a competition but also performing and carrying Indonesia’s name in France. Therefore, the opportunity you have to represent Labschool and Indonesia at the Folklore Festival in Paris is an invaluable experience,’ he continued. The minister also expressed hope that future cultural missions could collaborate more closely with the Ministry of Culture through the Dana IndonesiaRaya programme, which can be utilised to support various cultural activities and ecosystems. He noted that through this programme, the Ministry of Culture supports various initiatives, ranging from sending cultural delegations and organising film, music, dance, and theatre festivals in Indonesia to participating in international cultural events. The Minister of Culture further reiterated that culture is Indonesia’s soft power, playing a strategic role in cultural diplomacy. He advised all participants to prepare themselves to deliver their best performance. ‘Culture is a soft power. This soft power is very important for cultural diplomacy. In the future, it will become an engine of growth, a cultural strength, a cultural economy, and a cultural industry,’ he said. ‘Good luck serving as Indonesian Cultural Ambassadors. Bring home achievements, experiences, friendships, and networking, and continue to love, preserve, and advance Indonesian culture,’ Minister Fadli Zon added. Previously, the Head of SMA Labschool Kebayoran, Suparno, stated that the cultural mission programme aims, among other things, to strengthen the awareness of SMA Labschool Kebayoran students not only as citizens but also as global citizens. At the 38th International Competition and Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘Étoile de Paris’, the mission participants will not only compete but also represent Indonesia on the international stage through various dance and music performance categories. The SMA Labschool Kebayoran cultural mission is expected to bring honour to Indonesia through international achievements while introducing the richness of Indonesian culture to the global community as part of efforts to advance national culture.