Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, November 6, 2026 at 09:51 AM UTC

Indonesian youth urged to preserve wayang puppetry tradition

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Sinta Ambarwati, Fauzul Azhim Bin Fakhrurazi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Culture Ministry is urging younger generations to learn and carry on traditional wayang puppetry to preserve the country's cultural heritage amid globalization and changing audience preferences.

"Puppeteers are central to controlling wayang performances. It is important for children to learn and continue this tradition, preserve its knowledge and wisdom, and develop the art through innovation and creativity," Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in Jakarta on Thursday.

He described efforts to pass down wayang traditions as essential to preserving the art form, which UNESCO recognizes as an intangible cultural heritage.

Speaking at the Children's Puppeteer Festival (FDA), Fadli said the event helps identify young talent while encouraging succession and the transmission of puppetry skills.

Wayang was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003 before being inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008, he said.

The recognition made wayang the first Indonesian cultural element to receive UNESCO recognition.

The Culture Ministry is committed to supporting puppetry development and nurturing future generations of puppeteers, who play a central role in directing performances, Fadli said.

Beyond directing performances, puppeteers also serve as teachers who offer guidance and insight while creating harmony through gamelan accompaniment, which represents the rhythms of life.

"Through collaboration, we hope wayang will gain wider international recognition through new creations and innovations. Performances in Javanese or Sundanese can now include Indonesian and English subtitles and be streamed online to reach wider audiences," Fadli said.

The ministry also strongly supports the Indonesian Puppetry Association (Pepadi), the Indonesian National Secretariat for Wayang (Senawangi) and puppetry communities nationwide, he said.

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