RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, held a meeting with representatives of Union Internationale de la Marionnette d’Indonesie (UNIMA) at the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta, 20 February 2026. The meeting discussed preparations for the 2026 World Puppetry Day commemoration, scheduled to take place on April 24–26, 2026, in Yogyakarta.

During the meeting, Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation for the initiative, which he described as vital to preserving Indonesia’s puppetry tradition. “I welcome this initiative, because preserving Indonesian wayang is a shared duty and responsibility,” he stated.

UNIMA President, Dimas Samodra Rum, explained that the event will feature diverse forms of puppetry. The program will feature classical wayang performances, rare and endangered forms of wayang, as well as contemporary and experimental works.

In addition to performances, the commemoration will include cultural seminars, artist networking sessions, and cultural exhibitions. Tradition-inspired micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also be involved to strengthen the broader cultural ecosystem.

Responding to the plan, Fadli Zon emphasized that wayang encompasses various forms that must be collectively safeguarded. “The diversity of wayang is extraordinary, from classical forms to Wayang Wahyu, Wayang Sukha, Wayang Krucil, and many other variations,” he said.

The event forms part of UNIMA’s global network commitment, which annually initiates the World Puppetry Day observance. The adjusted schedule in Indonesia aims to ensure broader public participation.

Wayang has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2003. This recognition affirms its universal value as a knowledge system, an artistic expression, and a reflection of cultural wisdom embedded in society.

Concluding the meeting, Fadli Zon reaffirmed the government’s support for the commemoration and its continued commitment to advancing puppetry arts. The Ministry of Culture pledged to strengthen preservation and development efforts through policies, facilitation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure wayang remains relevant for future generations.