Indonesia and Turkey Forge Cultural Partnership

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Indonesia and Turkey have agreed to deepen their cultural cooperation through a series of collaborative initiatives, including a joint film production focusing on the historical relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the Aceh Sultanate.

Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, who accompanied President Prabowo Subianto on a state visit to Turkey, announced the partnership following a meeting with Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

“We have agreed to pursue collaborative efforts in the cultural sector to strengthen bilateral ties—this includes co-producing a film about the Ottoman and Aceh kingdoms, organizing joint art exhibitions, and establishing an Indonesian cultural house in Turkey,” Fadli said, as quoted on Antara, in a statement on Thursday.

Both countries, with their large Muslim populations and rich cultural histories, also plan to collaborate in promoting intangible cultural heritage such as the Fitrah tradition, calligraphy, and traditional assemblies. These efforts may lead to future nominations for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Fadli also highlighted archaeological evidence of long-standing cultural connections between Indonesia and Turkey, including ancient coins discovered in Aceh bearing the names of both Sultan Alaudin Riayat Syah Al Kahar and Ottoman ruler Suleiman I. Additional artifacts from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties and the grave of an Ottoman royal figure in Aceh further demonstrate this historical bond.

On the humanitarian front, Fadli condemned Israel’s destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, calling the actions “a cruel and inhumane form of genocide.” He emphasized that both Indonesia and Turkey stand firm in supporting Palestinian independence, including through cultural diplomacy.

The newly signed cultural cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Turkey aims to foster the preservation of heritage, artistic collaboration, and the development of talents across literature, contemporary arts, film, music, and digital culture.

“This bilateral cultural partnership is a strategic move—not only to promote artistic exchange and shared values, but also to strengthen diplomatic ties. By tapping into our cultural potential, we can build a more inclusive and sustainable relationship,” Fadli concluded as quoted on Antara.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas

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