RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, inaugurated the 2026 National Traditional Textile Exhibition, titled “Nusa Wastra: Living Patterns of Nusantara,” at the Sonobudoyo Museum on June 5, 2026. Running until July 29, 2026, the exhibition showcases traditional textiles from across Indonesia as representations of the nation’s cultural identity and heritage.

The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, the Special Region of Yogyakarta Provincial Government, and dozens of museums and cultural institutions from across the country. Through this collaborative approach, the event aims to serve as a platform for education, appreciation, and preservation of Indonesia’s textile traditions.

In his remarks, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, affirmed Indonesia’s extraordinary cultural diversity, with more than 1,340 ethnic groups spread across thousands of islands. This diversity is reflected in a wide range of traditional textiles, including batik, songket, woven fabrics, and ikat, each representing unique local traditions.

“Our nation’s cultural diversity can be seen in batik, songket, weaving, ikat, and many other beautiful and richly diverse textile traditions. Behind each cultural expression lies a philosophy, a hope, and even a prayer,” Fadli Zon said.

According to the minister, traditional textiles are not only valuable cultural assets but also powerful instruments of cultural diplomacy on the international stage. He noted that global recognition of Indonesian batik and kebaya demonstrates the strong appeal and relevance of Indonesian culture worldwide.

Beyond their cultural significance, traditional textiles also hold considerable economic potential as part of Indonesia’s cultural and creative industries. Strengthening the textile ecosystem is expected to generate economic benefits for artisans, batik makers, weavers, and cultural communities across the archipelago.

The “Nusa Wastra: Living Patterns of Nusantara” exhibition features 85 main collections and 22 supporting collections contributed by 40 institutions, including 36 museums from different provinces across Indonesia. Together, these collections highlight the evolution of Indonesian textiles as cultural identities, repositories of traditional knowledge, and forms of artistic expression.

Through the exhibition, the government hopes that more Indonesian traditional textiles will gain recognition and appreciation internationally. The event is also expected to inspire younger generations to take pride in Indonesia’s cultural heritage while contributing to the growth of the nation’s cultural ecosystem.