Indonesia Pushes Sustainable Vision for Borobudur Temple

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, met with cultural figure, Svida Alisjahbana, to discuss a new global initiative aimed at redefining the role of Borobudur Temple in Jakarta, 2 March 2026. The program, titled “Borobudur in Harmony,” seeks to position the UNESCO-listed monument not only as a historic site but as a living center of culture, spirituality, and international dialogue.

During the meeting, Svida emphasized that Borobudur is a sacred spiritual space whose dignity must be safeguarded. She explained that the concept was developed after she declined a proposal to hold a fashion week event at the temple complex, arguing that the site deserves a more meaningful and culturally aligned activation.

She described “Borobudur in Harmony” as a sustainable annual agenda built on three pillars: Conference (Mind), Festival (Body), and Community Engagement (Spirit). The conference would convene global experts, academics, artists, and practitioners to discuss themes ranging from performing arts harmony to wellness as human infrastructure and the exploration of traditional herbal medicine, jamu, as a sacred elixir.

The festival pillar would present immersive cultural and wellness experiences, including sunrise rituals, workshops, creative laboratories, art performances, and sunset sound healing sessions set against the temple’s backdrop. The community engagement component would actively involve local cultural custodians to ensure long-term sustainability and economic benefits for surrounding communities.

“We want the world to come not only to see a monument, but to think, to feel, to transform, and to belong,” Svida said, underscoring the ambition to reposition Borobudur as a global hub for cultural reflection and shared human values.

Rama Soeprapto, who accompanied her, noted that Indonesia holds a powerful cultural narrative that has yet to be fully translated onto the global stage. He pointed out that several countries have successfully elevated their heritage sites into internationally recognized cultural platforms.

Responding to the proposal, Minister Fadli Zon, expressed support for activating cultural heritage sites as part of strengthening Indonesia’s cultural economy. He stressed that Borobudur, as a World Heritage Site, involves multiple stakeholders and requires coordinated management across various institutional zones.

The Minister added that the government is prioritizing strategic measures, including plans to install a chattra to reinforce Borobudur’s role as a place of worship for Buddhists worldwide. He encouraged year-round cultural activation, collaboration with private and state-owned enterprises, and strong local participation to ensure that preservation efforts generate sustainable social and economic impact.