Indonesia and France are deepening their cultural collaboration with new initiatives aimed at enhancing heritage conservation, film production, and the arts. This partnership seeks to elevate Indonesian culture’s presence in France while fostering cultural exchanges between the two nations.
On October 7, Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon and French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard met in Paris to discuss joint cultural programs. Planned initiatives include Indonesian music performances, fashion exhibitions featuring traditional textiles and modern designs, and showcases of Indonesian fine art. These efforts build on the 2025 Borobudur Declaration, a framework designed to strengthen cultural ties and boost public engagement with cultural heritage in both countries.
A significant aspect of the cooperation is heritage conservation. Indonesia plans to collaborate with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) Foundation to revitalize ten priority heritage sites across eight provinces. Following the successful conservation of the Wapauwe Mosque in Maluku in 2025, the selected sites for future efforts include Tjong A Fie Mansion in North Sumatra, Betang Longhouse in West Kalimantan, and Jakarta’s Kota Tua historic district, among others.
Additionally, the partnership aims to protect the historic reliefs of Borobudur Temple from environmental threats and climate change. Discussions are ongoing with France’s Centre des monuments nationaux to enhance conservation methods and museum management.
The film industry is another major focus, with Indonesia aiming to establish the Indonesia International Film Co-production Fund by 2027, with technical assistance from France’s National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image. The two countries are also preparing for the third Indonesia-France Film Lab at the JAFF Market, which supports collaboration between filmmakers and strengthens international film projects. Efforts are also underway to increase Indonesia’s presence at the Cannes Film Festival in 2028.
This expanded partnership is expected to create new avenues for cultural exchange, help protect Indonesia’s historic sites, and bolster cooperation between Indonesian and French artists, filmmakers, and cultural institutions.