Indonesia, Russia Deepen Comprehensive Cultural Cooperation Framework

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, held a meeting with Russian Ambassador, Sergei Tolchenov, in Jakarta, Tuesday 10 February 2026 to foster comprehensive and sustainable cultural cooperation between the two countries. The discussion focused on culture as a strategic instrument of diplomacy and people-to-people engagement.

“The meeting is an important momentum to expand cultural collaboration in a more structured and long-term manner,” Fadli said. He emphasized that Indonesia views culture as a bridge to deepen mutual understanding with global partners, including Russia.

The minister highlighted past cultural exchanges, including the inauguration of a statue of Russian literary figure Leo Tolstoy in Indonesia. “As a reciprocal gesture, we plan to present a statue of Indonesian poet Chairil Anwar at a university in St. Petersburg,” he said.

Russian Ambassador Sergei Tolchenov welcomed the proposal and expressed openness to further discussions. “This is a very good idea, and we are ready to explore various possibilities, including alternative locations,” he said.

During the meeting, Fadli also proposed the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to serve as a formal framework for broader cultural cooperation. “An MoU would strengthen people-to-people connections and provide a solid foundation for long-term collaboration,” he said.

Both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in literacy development and historical archives. “There are many archival exchanges between Indonesia and Russia, and access to these materials is crucial for historical research,” Fadli said.

In the creative sector, Fadli stressed the importance of film and performing arts collaboration. “Participation in each other’s film festivals is an effective way to connect industry players and encourage sustainable collaboration,” he said.

Fadli said Indonesia and Russia share a commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy through education, creative industries, and artistic exchange. “Through culture, we can build enduring partnerships that go beyond government relations and reach society at large,” he said.