RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is reinforcing efforts to safeguard its oral traditions as living cultural heritage amid the challenges of globalization and rapid technological change. The initiative was highlighted during the 13th International Seminar and Indonesian Oral Tradition Festival (LISAN XIII), held at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Jakarta, Wednesday, 5 August, 2026.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, delivered the keynote address at the event, which runs from August 4 to 8, 2026, and brings together researchers, academics, cultural practitioners, and international experts. Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, he described oral traditions as a cornerstone of cultural identity and human civilization.

Fadli said oral traditions encompass a wide range of cultural expressions, including mantras, prayers, songs, genealogies, folktales, proverbs, and traditional performances that preserve collective memory and transmit values across generations. He emphasized that these traditions should be understood as humanity's earliest archives, linking language, social context, memory, interpretation, and cultural continuity.

"Oral traditions are among the earliest archives of human civilization. They connect language, social context, memory, interpretation, and the continuous recreation of cultural knowledge, making them an essential part of our intangible cultural heritage," he said.

The minister noted that the theme of LISAN XIII is particularly relevant as societies worldwide face increasingly complex global challenges. He said oral traditions should be viewed not merely as cultural heritage but as a vital infrastructure of knowledge, identity, and shared values that can help communities respond to present and future challenges.

Fadli also stressed that oral traditions are one of Indonesia's ten officially recognized Objects for Cultural Advancement and require continuous safeguarding to remain vibrant within communities. He added that preserving regional languages, strengthening intergenerational knowledge transfer, and supporting cultural practitioners are essential to ensuring the continuity of these traditions.

The minister said emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, present both opportunities and challenges for preserving oral traditions. He highlighted the potential of speech recognition, digital documentation, language modeling, digital archives, and educational resources to strengthen the protection and transmission of traditional knowledge.

Fadli called for LISAN XIII to generate concrete outcomes beyond academic discussions, including expanded research, stronger community networks, and the development of digital archives for endangered oral traditions.

"As long as oral traditions continue to be spoken, Indonesia's cultural memory will remain alive. We must regard traditional knowledge as a cultural resource that helps us understand today's challenges while building a more sustainable future," he said.