RRI.CO.ID, Surakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon officially opened the Solo Arts and Culture Exhibition at the Museum Keris Nusantara on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Surakarta, Central Java.

Held under the theme Jaga Budaya (Guard the Culture), the event coincides with National Keris Day 2026, serving as a critical platform to strengthen the ecosystem surrounding the keris, an Indonesian identity marker inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The exhibition showcases an extensive collection of keris and paintings, alongside special cultural performances. Minister Fadli lauded the event as a vital step in advancing national culture and solidifying the keris's global standing. The keris (or kris) is a traditional asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia, especially Java, known not only as a weapon but also as a spiritual and cultural object.

"The keris is Indonesia’s cultural heritage; it is authentic to Indonesia and serves as one of our identities. Within a keris, there are many cultural expressions, ranging from symbolic and philosophical meanings to its very high artistic achievement," the Minister explained, as quoted on the Ministry's official website.

During his keynote address, Minister Fadli emphasized that Indonesia’s mega-diversity and ancient roots elevate the country beyond a typical political entity. He argued that authentic evidence proves Indonesia was a center for early human civilization.

"This must be the foundation of our self-identity and pride, that we are not just a nation-state, but a civilizational state. A country whose civilization is long-standing and has experienced various acculturations in many places," he explained.

The exhibition is notable for its cross-sectoral support, featuring collections from individuals in the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), and the banking sector. Deputy Mayor of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, highlighted the strategic role of the Museum Keris Nusantara in merging tradition with modern industry.

"Culture can synergize with modern sectors, including financial services, to strengthen the creative economy," she noted, expressing support for a planned keris exchange (bursa keris) to improve craftsmen's welfare.

To ensure the sustainability of this heritage, the Ministry and its partners have outlined several key initiatives focused on long-term preservation and growth. A primary focus is providing economic support by establishing a keris exchange designed to empower traditional smiths (empu) and local craftsmen.

The strategy also emphasizes literacy, specifically through developing collaboration programs with the financial sector to improve funding and marketing opportunities for cultural practitioners. To modernize the ecosystem, digital integration will involve implementing digital catalogs, educational platforms, and formal certification systems.

The Ministry is prioritizing youth engagement by increasing involvement through hands-on workshops, competitions, and the integration of keris culture into educational curricula. This gives the preservation of the keris a geopolitical weight, it’s no longer just a traditional weapon but a sophisticated artifact of a long-standing intellectual and artistic history. ***