Hundreds of cultural figures, artists, and academics attended the Arkipelagis: Cultural Reflection symposium at UGM’s Innovation and Creativity Center (GIK UGM) on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
Organized by Yogyakarta’s cultural figures and artists, this symposium also marked the completion of Hilmar Farid’s term as Director General of Culture from 2015 to 2024, elaborating on his contributions to cultural work.
The symposium served as a space for reflection on the achievements and lessons from previous cultural efforts and was an important step in determining the strategic direction of Indonesia’s culture in the future.
The event was attended by Yogyakarta Governor and King of the Yogyakarta Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Hilmar Farid (Director General of Culture 2015-2024), cultural figure Butet Kartaredjasa, artist Nasirun, and many others. Several speakers also presented their reflections on culture.
On this occasion, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X expressed his thoughts on a new Indonesian culture, which should be progressive and civilized.
“Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation,” said the Sultan.
He highlighted the urgency of building a visionary culture through the concept of the New Indonesian Culture, which intertwines with the grand idea of archipelagicism.
He explained that this concept connects traditional roots with the energy of renewal for the future of the nation, a vision that combines local wisdom with the dynamics of the times for the benefit of the Indonesian people.
“In this context, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika should not just be a slogan but a cultural strategy that is translated into public policies,” emphasized the Sultan.
According to him, history has taught that living in multiculturalism, with tolerance and mutual respect, can be a source of progress. In Spain, Andalusia was a symbol of harmonious coexistence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Knowledge and culture flourished at that time because everyone learned from other cultures. History also shows that the integration of various cultures and nations is inevitable in the history of Nusantara.
The Sultan also discussed cultural plurality, emphasizing the great benefits when cultural plurality becomes intertwined, creating a reciprocal cultural richness.
“Beyond that, we will also be able to carry out development plans with as little distortion, suspicion, and misunderstanding as possible,” he explained.
In the Sultan’s view, the New Indonesian Culture is a vision of a progressive and civilized Indonesia. Indonesia must be able to prosper, advance, and bring justice to all its people, from generation to generation.
All of this must be developed from values that flow through society’s veins.’ Forgetting ethnic and cultural values and indigenous communities will only result in an Indonesia that grows without soul or identity.
“In the end, we will not achieve constructive, visionary, anticipatory, progressive, critical, and sustainable cultural development,” he added.
In addition to the cultural oration from Sri Sultan, other cultural figures and artists also delivered their orations.
Nirwan Dewanto reminded the audience of the meaning of archipelagicism as a productive movement that builds. Other speakers included Charles Toto, Titah AW, Afrizal Malna, Premana W. Premadi, Bambang Sugiharto, Farah Wardani, and Nia Dinata.
The formulation team for the Arkipelagis: Cultural Reflection Symposium outlined several key points in a forum that lasted until the afternoon.
One of the points made was that supporting and improving cultural work in Indonesia is just as important as preserving or advancing cultural sites.
It is important to rebuild contextual awareness of traditional knowledge as a relevant solution to addressing today’s sustainable development challenges.
Cultural funding should be expanded to include cultural journalism to bridge public awareness of arts and culture issues and strengthen the dialogue between society, cultural actors, and policymakers.
The advancement of culture must be based on inter-material perspectives, non-violence, and inclusivity.
The urgency of a cultural strategy must always be emphasized. Specifically, this means formulating a direction for culture.
Indonesia’s cultural direction, with archipelagic awareness, will strive to avoid the trap of merely reinforcing identity and instead pursue improving the quality of its culture, expanding cultural indicators, and seeking positionality in the world through cultural diplomacy.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto