Indonesia pushes revitalization of 200 cultural sites in 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto met Culture Minister Fadli Zon at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday evening to discuss accelerating the revitalization of museums, royal palaces and other cultural heritage sites nationwide.

The meeting, attended by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, coincided with Indonesia Museum Day, according to an official statement.

Cabinet Secretary said the government continues to accelerate the revitalization and improvement of cultural heritage sites across the country.

The program covers more than 200 sites across Indonesia in 2026.

“The government is accelerating the revitalization and improvement of more than 200 museums, heritage sites, royal palaces, state palaces, forts and other cultural heritage assets across Indonesia in 2026,” Teddy said.

Teddy added the work extends beyond physical infrastructure to improving information displays and the visitor experience.

The government aims to make museums more engaging, educational and accessible venues for explaining the nation’s history.

“Museum upgrades involve not only renovating physical but also strengthening historical narratives, storytelling and exhibitions to make them more informative and engaging,” he said.

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The use of digital technology was another focus of the meeting, alongside physical improvements and stronger historical narratives.

Teddy said technology-driven museums and interactive experiences could offer new ways to explore history and encourage more people, especially young people, to visit museums and heritage sites.

“Digital technology and interactive experiences can make museums more appealing, particularly to younger generations, while deepening understanding of the nation’s history and identity,” he said.

Prabowo also emphasized the need to strengthen the professional capabilities of museum staff and managers.

This effort is linked to developing cultural, historical and religious tourism, which could deliver broader benefits, including economic growth for local communities.

“Strengthening museum managers’ skills and developing cultural, historical and religious tourism are part of efforts to make culture a new driver of economic growth,” Teddy said.

President Prabowo said that preserving cultural heritage is essential to maintaining historical continuity and national identity.

Revitalization projects must therefore deliver lasting benefits for people today and future generations.

“The president emphasized the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage so it remains not just a relic of the past, but a source of knowledge, pride and inspiration for future generations,” Teddy said.

The government hopes the projects will make museums and cultural sites across Indonesia more vibrant, relevant and accessible to the public.

The initiative also reflects a commitment to using the nation’s cultural wealth for education, stronger national identity and economic activity that benefits communities.

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Translator: Fathur R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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