Museum as a bastion of history preservation amid globalisation

Banjarbaru (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Education and Culture Office has stated that museums play a strategic role as bastions of history and culture preservation amidst the rapid currents of globalisation. Museums must transform into innovative, inclusive, and engaging learning spaces for the public, especially the younger generation.

Abdul Rahim, Head of the South Kalimantan Education and Culture Office, said the ‘Sepekan Cinta Museum’ (Museum Love Week) event is not merely a ceremonial agenda, but a form of sustainable commitment to fostering public love for cultural heritage and strengthening national character.

“In the midst of the swift flow of globalisation, museums must transform into innovative, inclusive, and attractive learning spaces for the community, particularly the younger generation,” he said during the 2026 Museum Love Week event at the Lambung Mangkurat Museum in Banjarbaru on Monday.

Throughout the week, various competitions and educational activities received an enthusiastic response from the public. He assessed that the high level of participation demonstrates that cultural preservation can be carried out through enjoyable activities that also provide educational value.

“This proves that cultural preservation can be done through educational and fun activities. Participation in this event is part of the learning process and a very valuable expression of cultural love,” he said.

Looking ahead, the South Kalimantan Education and Culture Office will continue to introduce various innovations to increase public interest in regional culture. He hopes the involvement of the younger generation and children can be continuously strengthened through various cultural programmes, not only during Museum Love Week but also in other cultural activities.

“I hope for the involvement of the younger generation and children from an early age to get to know our culture better amidst the current digital developments,” he said.

He invited the government, cultural institutions, educational units, and the community to continue synergising to maintain the sustainability of museums as centres for historical and cultural preservation.

“Through this momentum, let us work together, embracing all parties—the government, cultural institutions, educational units, and the community—so that museums become more vibrant, loved, and beneficial for the development of human resources with character and culture,” he said.

Ady Surya, Head of the Lambung Mangkurat Museum Technical Implementation Unit, stated his commitment to improving the quality of the Museum Love Week event in the coming years. One of the steps to be taken is expanding public participation by dividing competition categories based on age levels.

“Going forward, as directed by the Head of the Office, we will increase participant involvement by dividing categories based on age, from children, adults, to a general category,” said Ady.

He added that early childhood categories would also receive special attention so that more children can get to know and love regional culture from an early age. According to Ady, the development of these participant categories is expected to improve the quality of traditional competitions while broadening community involvement in cultural preservation efforts in South Kalimantan.