National Library presents exhibition introducing Nusantara's knowledge heritage

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) is hosting an exhibition titled “Nurturing Memory, Awakening Awareness,” which invites the public, particularly children and the younger generation, to discover the wealth of Nusantara’s knowledge and culture.

The exhibition is organised as part of Library Visit Day, serving as part of Perpusnas’s efforts to strengthen the use of its collections as a source of learning and public knowledge.

“In addition to storing collections, the library also preserves the nation’s memory so that it can continue to be studied, understood, and interpreted by future generations,” said Suharyanto, Deputy for Library Material Development and Information Services at Perpusnas, in an official statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

The “Nurturing Memory, Awakening Awareness” exhibition serves as a meeting space between the current generation and the intellectual heritage of Nusantara. The exhibition features various Nusantara manuscripts that have been recognised in the National Collective Memory (IKON) and the Memory of the World (MOW).

Suharyanto explained that these manuscripts are not merely displayed as relics of the past, but as intellectual heritage. This heritage records the ideas, knowledge, values, experiences, and the life journeys of the people of that era.

“Documentary heritage stored in manuscripts can serve as an entry point to understanding our identity, culture, and the nation’s journey. This documentary heritage also allows us to explore values that remain relevant to contemporary life,” he said.

Using a simple, communicative, and visual approach, the exhibition is designed to bring Nusantara’s manuscripts closer to the youth. Various manuscript reproductions, illustrations, infographics, and interactive visual elements are used to help visitors understand the stories and knowledge contained within them.

Some of the manuscripts on display include works related to Syekh Yusuf, Bo Sangaji, Sutasoma, Babad Diponegoro, Imam Bonjol, and Trunojoyo.

Secondly, the “Shared Value Heritage” section invites visitors to view manuscripts as a medium for passing down values, knowledge, beliefs, and traditions across generations. Examples introduced include Panji, Sri Tanjung, Bo Sangaji, Primbon Tengger, and the Heritage of Syekh Burhanudin Ulakan.

Thirdly, “Women’s Heritage” highlights how manuscripts record the experiences, roles, voices, and status of women in society in the past. This narrative is presented through works such as Simbur Cahaya, Sri Tanjung, and Panji.

Fourthly, “Special Work Heritage” presents manuscripts with unique characteristics in terms of content, form, language, intellectual tradition, or documentary value. This includes Siksa Kandang Karesian, Babad Diponegoro, Nagarakretagama, La Galigo, Tambar Ni Hulit, Syair Hamzah Fansuri, and Pecenongan.

“The four narratives presented in this exhibition are an effort to change the perception of manuscripts. Visitors are not just invited to see them as ‘old objects,’ but to understand manuscripts as sources of knowledge that hold stories about humans, society, thought, values, and experiences passed down from generation to generation,” said Suharyanto.

Through this series of events, Library Visit Day is not only a momentum to encourage the public to visit libraries but also to expand the use of libraries as spaces for learning, creating, discussing, and interacting with knowledge.

Since then, 14 September has been observed as Library Visit Day to encourage the public to engage more closely with libraries and build reading habits.

The “Nurturing Memory, Awakening Awareness” exhibition is part of the 2026 Library Visit Day series organised by Perpusnas, running from 14 to 30 September 2026, at the Grha Literasi Building, the Perpusnas Heritage Building, Jakarta.

A variety of literacy activities are presented to reach different groups of society, from children and students to the general public. These activities include literacy classes, talk shows, writing classes, music and cinema literacy, librarianship activities, and events highlighting the richness of Nusantara manuscripts.

The Library Visit Day programme also includes the launch of the book “Adaptation of National Collective Memory (IKON) & Memory of the World (MOW) Manuscripts,” the National Collective Memory (IKON) Awards, the IKON–MOW Seminar titled “Manuscripts, Memory, and National Collectivity,” the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka Awards for the category of Ancient Manuscript Preservation, the Best Ancient Manuscript Management Award for the Library Services category, and Cinema Literacy classes.