RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The theater stage of the Museum Nasional Indonesia transformed into a hub of cultural innovation on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the Aniwayang Live Desa Timun: Ayo Ke Museum performance successfully bridged the gap between ancient tradition and modern storytelling. The event, held as part of the museum's 248th-anniversary celebrations, highlighted the growing potential of local intellectual property (IP) to revitalize public spaces and drive the creative economy.

Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, who participated directly in the performance, praised the production for its ability to repackage traditional wayang (shadow puppetry) into a globally competitive format. Beyond its entertainment value, she emphasized that such creative works serve as vital instruments for cultural diplomacy, noting that Aniwayang has already gained international acclaim in Japan and South Korea, with an upcoming showcase scheduled for Germany.

“Wayang is not just entertainment, but also a cultural diplomacy tool that can be carried anywhere and actually has extraordinary economic value. What Aniwayang is doing shows that tradition-based creative works can penetrate the international stage, and have even been appreciated in Japan, Korea, and will be leaving for Germany,” Irene said during the event, as quoted on the Ministry's official website.

The performance combined animative characters with interactive storytelling, specifically designed to engage children and families. This approach, according to the Deputy Minister, demonstrates how traditional culture can be transformed into high-value creative products. She also underscored the evolving role of museums, which are increasingly serving as dynamic spaces for creative expression rather than just static educational repositories.

“We should be proud because museums in Indonesia are now increasingly developing into attractive creative spaces. This opens up great opportunities for creative economy fighters to collaborate and work, while providing a closer and more enjoyable cultural experience for the community. Thank you to the National Museum for providing a cool space for the Aniwayang performance today,” she added.

The founder and director of Aniwayang Studio, Daud Nugraha, revealed that this particular show was a bespoke production featuring new songs and narratives exclusive to the Museum Nasional. As a gesture of appreciation, the studio even presented a custom puppet character modeled after the Deputy Minister, crafted in Yogyakarta.

Daud noted that for the past five years, the studio has focused on exploring ways to keep the art of wayang relevant across generations.

“This performance was made specifically for the National Museum, with special songs and new stories that have never been aired anywhere. We also made a special wayang character for the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy that was brought directly from Jogja. Aniwayang has always been our form of exploration for five years to make wayang remain relevant and loved across generationsi,” Daud explained.

The event featured a variety of interactive sessions, including a Dalang Experience where children could learn from professional puppeteers and voice actors. Additionally, the studio showcased its commercial viability through a range of merchandise, from apparel and comic books to traditional leather puppets, demonstrating how local cultural IP can generate significant economic activity. ***