Jakarta ( WNAM MONITORING ): Indonesia is set to collaborate with Malaysia to hold an Islamic-Malay cultural festival, aiming to highlight its rich cultural diversity and status as the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
“I fully support exhibitions using public art, especially showcasing Islamic-Malay culture. Indonesia has a long tradition of blending Islam with local arts,” Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The festival, Malaysia Islamic Art and Design, will use public art installations to promote Islamic-Malay culture.
Fadli highlighted Museum Gedung Pusaka Keraton Kanoman in Cirebon, West Java, as an example of a modern public exhibition space using advanced technology.
“Recently, we inaugurated the museum’s exhibition hall, transforming an 18th-century warehouse into an art space with installations and video mapping to convey museum narratives,” he said.
Scheduled for November 2026, the festival will display art across multiple public spaces in Jakarta. It aims to educate the public while introducing the richness of Islamic-Malay heritage.
Paulina Gallardo, Director & Advisory Ltd, emphasized the importance of collaboration among cultural practitioners, curators, and audiences.
“This festival is the first initiative celebrating the heritage of Malay countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Southern Thailand, and Southern Philippines,” Gallardo said.
Fadli also explored potential partnerships between government, cultural organizations, and private sectors to advance Islamic-Malay arts.
“Promoting Islamic-Malay arts can create a sustainable ecosystem, enhancing livelihoods for artists and cultural practitioners,” he added.
