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| Director of Cultural Development and Utilization, the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture, Dr. Restu Gunawan, M.Hum. (Photo: Lintang PR) |
The culture of Indonesia has changed significantly. Many people are now more interested in learning about other cultures rather than their own, which may seem to be left behind. For instance, nowadays, many Indonesians enjoy Korean culture. This was explained by Dr. Restu Gunawan, M.Hum., the Director of Cultural Development and Utilization, the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture, during a guest lecture held on October 22. The event, titled "Advancement of Culture and Cultural Diplomacy," was attended by hundreds of participants from various backgrounds, organized by University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM).
"It's not wrong to appreciate other cultures, but one should not forget their own identity. Nowadays, many people are fond of foreign cultures, such as Korean culture, including K-pop, Korean cuisine, and clothing. This is one of the influences of the collaboration between culture and technology," said Restu.
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Restu emphasized that culture is the identity of a nation, including Indonesia. Culture defines identity, selfhood, and even names. According to him, culture should not be limited in its development. "Some people may prefer to adhere to certain customs, but it's possible to develop culture to add more value to it," he explained.
Collaboration, according to Restu, can be seen in the development of traditional clothing or cuisine in terms of taste, uniqueness, and presentation. This can attract global attention and can also serve as a form of cultural diplomacy abroad.
For instance, the development of batik fabric as everyday clothing or for social gatherings is a straightforward example. This can also serve as a way to introduce and promote our culture to both the national and international communities.
Restu affirmed that the government has been working on preserving Indonesian culture. One approach involves recording ancient scripts, documenting historical artifacts, and creating cultural-based films to raise awareness and preserve cultural heritage.
The government has also established the LPDP Scholarship Program in collaboration with the Indonesian Musicians Association (PAPPRI) to provide scholarships for cultural practitioners seeking further education. This way, these cultural practitioners can gain more followers and become a source of cultural diplomacy to introduce Indonesian culture on both national and international stages.
"Therefore, don't let Indonesian culture disappear in your hands. Preserve it in various ways. While people may not be very interested in their culture right now, in five years, they may rediscover their appreciation for it," he added.
On the other hand, UMM Rector Prof. Dr. Fauzan M.Pd. explained that culture is identity. Culture is constructive, meaning it builds to produce something positive. "People become vulnerable if they abandon their culture. But if culture is preserved and developed, it can certainly become our image and face to confront the changing times," he concluded. (Tri/Wil/Fajr)
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