In a move to bolster cultural ties, Indonesia and France are expanding their cooperation in areas of heritage conservation, film production, and the arts. During a meeting in Paris on October 7, Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon and French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard outlined plans to enhance cultural exchanges between the two nations, focusing on joint initiatives that include music performances, fashion exhibitions, and fine art showcases.
Central to this partnership is the commitment to heritage conservation, with Indonesia planning 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. This effort follows the successful conservation of the Wapauwe Mosque in Maluku in 2025. Highlighted projects include the Tjong A Fie Mansion in North Sumatra, Jakarta’s Kota Tua historic district, and the Borobudur Temple in Central Java.
Film industry collaboration is another significant aspect of the partnership. Indonesia aims to launch the Indonesia International Film Co-production Fund by 2027, with technical support from France’s National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image. The initiative seeks to foster collaboration between filmmakers through efforts like the Indonesia-France Film Lab at the JAFF Market and aims to increase Indonesia’s presence at the Cannes Film Festival by 2028.
The cooperation is part of the broader 2025 Borobudur Declaration, which aims to enhance cultural ties and public engagement with cultural heritage in both countries. Discussions are ongoing regarding improving conservation methods, particularly for Borobudur Temple’s historic reliefs, which face environmental pressures and climate change challenges.
Overall, the expanded cultural partnership between Indonesia and France is expected to create new opportunities for cultural exchange, protect Indonesia’s historic sites, and strengthen artistic and cinematic collaborations between the two countries.