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Euronews
29-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
France and Indonesia enhance cultural ties with new partnership deal
France has signed a cultural partnership with Indonesia, with an emphasis on preserving cultural heritage and the development of human resources. The new pact also includes promotion of cultural products such as films, music and textiles and encourages collaboration between cultural institutions in both countries. "We aim to enhance cultural dialogue between the two nations, particularly by engaging younger generations and contemporary cultural practitioners," said Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. The agreement also covers museum development and archival digitisation and serves as "an operational framework to implement the cultural vision" of both countries' leaders, the culture ministry said. Initiatives set to be launched under the agreement include the Indonesia–France Film Lab and the Borobudur Cultural Centre. "Through an inclusive approach, we hope to generate both cultural and economic added value for our nations," Fadli said. The deal was signed as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit to Indonesia, which ended with a tour of Borobudur Temple, one of the world's largest Buddhist monuments, alongside President Prabowo Subianto. Macron, currently on a week-long diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, arrived in Indonesia with First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday evening, the second stop of his tour after Vietnam. On arrival, Macron had warm words for Indonesia's leader, describing him as a brother and "a great friend of mine". Military cooperation between Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, and France has grown in recent years, starting in 2019 when Subianto became defence minister. Indonesia finalised an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, with the first delivery expected in early 2026. The Asian nation also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron that the visit was aimed at strengthening "defence cooperation between Indonesia and France." Macron ends his tour in Singapore where he's expected to speak at Asia's top defence conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Far-right Chega party has become Portugal's main opposition party, following a final tally of votes from the 18 May election. After the initial round of counting, the party was tied on 58 seats with the Socialist Party (PS), which received a slightly higher share of the vote. However, Chega — which means "Enough" in Portuguese — secured two more seats after overseas voting was taken into account, while the PS stayed on 58. 'This is a profound change in the Portuguese political system," Chega leader André Ventura told supporters after his party had overtaken the PS. The election results broke with the country's political status quo, as centre-right and centre-left parties have typically alternated between government and opposition. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's centre-right Democratic Alliance secured 91 seats of the National Assembly's 230 seats, making it the largest bloc in parliament. Montenegro, who has ruled out working with Chega, said he would form a new minority government. The mid-May election — the third national vote in as many years — was called after Montenegro lost a confidence vote in parliament, following concerns about the prime minister's business dealings. He denies any wrongdoing. Chega's rise coincides with far-right gains across Europe, with parties including Alternative for Germany (AfD) now in the political mainstream. The former fringe party, which campaigned under the slogan 'Save Portugal', took only one seat when it first competed in elections in 2019. Since then, its hardline stance against immigration has seen it surge in popularity.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indonesia Unveils New Cultural Blueprint With Focus on Film Industry Growth (EXCLUSIVE)
Indonesia's first-ever Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has outlined an ambitious blueprint for the nation's cultural growth, with special emphasis on developing the country's rapidly expanding film industry. 'This is the first time for Indonesia to have a new Ministry of Culture. This is a new chapter for cultural development under President Prabowo Subianto's administration,' Zon tells Variety in an exclusive interview at the Hong Kong FilMart market. More from Variety Hong Kong FilMart 2025: Five Takeaways From Asia's Recharged Global Content Market Asia's Animation Revolution Drives Upbeat Outlook Acclaimed Duo Huang Ji, Otsuka Ryuji Team Again for 'A Woman Builds' The newly established ministry is guided by Indonesia's constitutional mandate, which Zon notes has been in place for 80 years, requiring the state to advance 'Indonesia's national culture within global civilization by ensuring the freedom of society to preserve and develop its cultural values.' The ministry's strategy rests on three key pillars: protection and revitalization of cultural heritage, cultural diplomacy, and development of the cultural economy through digital innovation. The latter specifically targets film industry growth, which Zon describes as experiencing 'rapid growth' with more than 200 films produced last year and cinema audiences exceeding 80 million. Among the challenges facing Indonesia's film sector, Zon identifies 'the shortage of skilled script writers' as a key bottleneck. To address this, the ministry is implementing capacity building initiatives including masterclasses, training programs, student competitions, and industry collaborations. 'Our vision is to preserve Indonesia's rich storytelling traditions and position Indonesia as a competitive player in the global cultural creative economy,' Zon explains. To put matters in context, films from Indonesia now routinely get selected and win prizes at major international festivals. The local market in Indonesia, which has the fourth-largest population in the world with 283 million, is rapidly expanding with homegrown productions accounting for a significant share of the local box office. Indonesia is also bolstering its cultural policies that include an annual $13 million international co-production grant. The government is working to accelerate funding through an endowment fund with match funding schemes to support the film industry's economic potential. When asked about plans for international production incentives, Zon indicated that while specific tax breaks are still being developed, the immediate focus is on streamlining procedures. 'We try to make the procedure and the process easier and shorter. It's important for us to have this kind of exchange reciprocally with other countries,' he says, adding that international productions would help promote 'Indonesian culture, tourism, landscapes, and cultural values.' Zon emphasizes the importance of international festivals and markets like the Hong Kong FilMart in sustaining Indonesia's growing global presence in film and television. 'Networking is very important for Indonesian filmmakers,' Zon says. 'With the culture of globalization, we have to cooperate with each other.' He highlights regional networks such as AFAN (Asian Film Commissions Network) as crucial platforms for dialogue and exchange of best practices within the industry. The ministry is also revitalizing cultural centers across Indonesian provinces to serve as creative hubs for the film industry, alongside other cultural initiatives. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia is hungry for rendang, tempeh to get on Unesco's intangible culture list
First, it was rendang, the slow-cooked, spice-laden beef dish that has long been an icon of Indonesian cuisine. Now, tempeh – the humble, protein-packed fermented soybean staple – is stepping into the spotlight. Advertisement Indonesia 's Culture Minister Fadli Zon is on a mission to get the nation's culinary creations recognised on the global stage. Having already lobbied for rendang to be considered for Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage, Fadli announced on Saturday that tempeh will be next. Speaking at a discussion on Indonesian culinary culture in Depok, West Java, on Saturday, the minister described Indonesian food as a cultural expression, deeply intertwined with local traditions and ancestral practices. 'Whether it is [planting of and harvest for] rice, corn, and others, all have the traditions, ceremonies, rituals, and prayers that are passed down through the generations,' he said, referencing the rich cultural and spiritual ties between food and community. A woman cooks rendang, an Indonesian meat dish simmered in coconut milk and spices, for her family in Banda Aceh. Photo: AFP The minister also highlighted rendang's extraordinary variety, pointing out that the dish boasts '24 different varieties in various regions'. He said rendang served as a symbol of Indonesia's identity and heritage. Advertisement
