Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Culture is strengthening cultural ties with Pacific nations through the Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Connect (IPCC) 2026 program, uniting 20 artists from eight Pacific countries and 70 artists from eastern Indonesia.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that the program serves as a bridge for people-to-people contact through knowledge sharing, traditional exchanges, and collaborative artistic creation.
"Through the Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Connect 2026, we are not only celebrating our shared cultural heritage, but also learning from one another and building a stronger foundation for sustainable cultural cooperation," Zon remarked at the 2026 IPCC Showcase in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.
He noted that Indonesia's ties with Pacific nations stem from shared history, traditions, and inter-island knowledge exchanges.
Zon emphasized that these connections must be nurtured through direct, community-level cultural initiatives.
"Cultural cooperation becomes sustainable not just through government agreements or memorandums of understanding, but through trust, friendship, and continuous engagement among our people," he said.
The minister expressed hope that participants will act as cultural ambassadors promoting Indonesian heritage abroad while opening doors for Indonesia to engage with Pacific traditions.
The IPCC 2026 program is organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Works of Wonder Indonesia Foundation, supported by the Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP).
The program kicked off in Yogyakarta on Oct. 5 with an art residency bringing together artists from Indonesia and the Pacific region, running through Oct. 17.
Participants explore traditional music, including Javanese performance arts, and handicrafts made from coconut and bamboo while exchanging cultural practices ahead of closing showcase performances.
Fiji's Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Charan Jeath Singh praised the initiative as a vital platform for artistic skill development and cultural diplomacy.
Singh proposed exploring a bilateral memorandum of understanding with Indonesia to establish a structured framework covering cultural heritage preservation, education, artist exchanges, joint exhibitions, and collaborative productions.
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Translator: Farika Nur, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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