Reviving the Bandung Spirit, Ministry of Culture Holds 71st Anniversary Celebration of the Asian-African Conference
The Directorate General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture has held a celebration for the 71st anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (KAA). This occasion serves as a strategic step to revive the Bandung Spirit in the current global context.
The event, titled Bandung Spirit: Culture as a Bridge for World Peace, took place at the Savoy Homann Hotel in Bandung and also aims to strengthen the role of culture as a bridge for global peace.
In his cultural address, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon highlighted the world’s current phase of global uncertainty and erosion of trust between nations. This is marked by rising conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and arms races.
On the other hand, threats to cultural heritage are increasingly evident, from damage to historical sites to the loss of traces of human civilisation due to conflicts.
In response to these conditions, Fadli Zon stressed the importance of upholding the Bandung Spirit as a moral compass for the world.
“If we want to build sustainable peace, we must protect culture. We must ensure that no war erases a nation’s history, no domination silences identities, and no global system ignores the voices of the weak,” asserted Fadli Zon, in a written statement on Sunday (19/4/2026).
He also added that under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia remains committed to the non-aligned path. The government is also actively building global cooperation and upholding the principles of the UN Charter.
Domestically, strengthening national resilience is being promoted through human resource development, food security, and various priority programmes towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
The event was also filled with a cultural dialogue titled Reflections on the Historical Values of the Asian-African Conference from a Cultural Perspective. The dialogue featured several speakers, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy, member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives Ledia Hanifa, and academic from Paramadina University Anton Aliabbas.
The discussion was moderated by Special Staff to the Minister of Culture Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri.
In response to the discussion, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan conveyed the Bandung City Government’s initiative to propose the Simpang Lima area, along Jalan Asia Afrika to Otista, as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
According to him, this step is important to preserve the visual identity and historical values inherent in Bandung City, particularly related to the Bandung Spirit.
In addition to the dialogue, the series of events included the launch of the book The Asian-African Conference in Pictures. This book chronicles the visual traces of that historical event in chronological order.
“This album tells the story of how, from the arrival of participants, the conference atmosphere, even the discussion sessions, to cultural events, depicting chronologically how the KAA event took place in Bandung,” explained Fadli Zon.
Not only that, the event was also enlivened by an exhibition marking 71 Years of the KAA, featuring photos and historical narratives through an educational and curatorial approach.
Through this commemoration, the Ministry of Culture reaffirms its commitment to using the KAA as a means of cultural diplomacy. This effort is carried out through inter-country cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Culture is positioned as the foundation of nation-building, as well as an instrument to nurture identity, strengthen sovereignty, and promote world peace.