Indonesia-Netherlands Strengthen Cultural Ties Through Film and Historical Archives

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is utilizing international cultural diplomacy to strengthen national culture and encourage equitable historical recovery, as evidenced in a meeting between Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and the Netherlands' Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Gouke Moes, during the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

"The importance of cooperation in the field of historical and cultural archives, particularly the utilization of Dutch archives related to Indonesian history and culture," said Minister Fadli Zon in an official statement on Saturday, January 31, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The meeting affirmed cultural relations based on equality and mutual respect, with a focus on cooperation in historical archives, film, and cultural heritage management.

The Indonesian government sees using Dutch archives on Indonesian history and culture as important to a more comprehensive and balanced national historical narrative. Minister Fadli Zon said that this collaboration is part of cultural diplomacy, upholding the principles of ethics, inclusivity, and historical justice, and is not merely academic.

The Dutch government welcomed this approach and opened up opportunities for collaboration with various cultural institutions, including the Eye Film Museum and KITLV.

Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation for the attention IFFR has given to the works of Indonesian filmmakers in the context of film. He also proposed the "Indonesia Focus" or "Indonesia Spotlight" initiative for the next IFFR edition as a means to strengthen cultural exchange and broaden the exposure of Indonesian films on the international stage.

The commitment to cooperation was strengthened through the follow-up to the Indonesia-Netherlands Audiovisual Co-production Agreement, signed in December 2024 and currently undergoing ratification. This agreement is expected to open opportunities for broader production collaborations.

Talent development is a pillar of this relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands. The SAMASAMA Lab program encourages cross-border creative collaboration, focusing on development, knowledge exchange, and strengthening film networks.

Minister Fadli Zon proposed accelerating the repatriation of 37 Tangible Cultural Heritage (WBBK) objects that have received recommendations for return from the Colonial Collection Committee (CCC). One important proposal is the repatriation of works and relics of Raden Saleh, currently housed at the Naturalis Museum in the Netherlands.

This proposal is part of efforts to restore art history and strengthen Indonesia's cultural identity. The repatriation of cultural collections is considered important for public knowledge and historical justice.

At the meeting, Indonesia also requested the Netherlands' support for its UNESCO candidacy. This is expected to strengthen Indonesia's role in global cultural policy.

The meeting highlighted culture's pivotal role in Indonesia-Netherlands relations, emphasizing collaborative dialogue for future cultural cooperation, reconciliation, diplomacy, and sustainability. ***