RRI.CO.ID, Medan - Indonesia is strengthening the role of museums as dynamic cultural spaces through renewed efforts to improve exhibitions and public engagement. The initiative was highlighted during a visit by Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, to several historical sites in North Sumatra.

Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, visited Gedung Juang 45 Medan and Museum Perkebunan Indonesia, Sunday, March 8, 2026 as part of a working trip to the region. The visit aimed to reinforce the government’s commitment to making museums more inclusive, educational, and accessible to the public.

During the visit to Gedung Juang 45, the minister praised ongoing revitalization efforts at the historic building. The site stands as a reminder of the struggle to defend Indonesia’s independence during the Battle of Medan Area between 1945 and 1949.

Fadli suggested further improvements in exhibition design to attract younger visitors. “We will continue to improve lighting, exhibition layouts, and the use of digital technology so that the visitor experience becomes more immersive,” he said.

The minister also highlighted the importance of numismatic collections displayed at the museum. According to him, historical currencies and stamps serve as symbols of national identity and reflect the early development of the Indonesian state.

He added that such collections also reveal historical interactions among diverse communities involved in the plantation economy, including workers brought from other regions of the archipelago. These stories, he said, demonstrate how economic history is closely linked with social and cultural exchanges.

At the Museum of Indonesian Plantations, the minister appreciated the institution’s efforts to present the history of plantation commodities in the region. The museum documents how crops such as sugarcane and tobacco became major export products to global markets, particularly to Europe.

Closing the visit, Fadli emphasized that museums should function not only as storage spaces for historical artifacts but also as active public learning centers. “Through stronger narratives, improved exhibitions, and digital technology, museums can become living cultural spaces that deepen public awareness of history,” he said.