Indonesian officials, during a talk show in Jakarta, discussed how the country is enhancing its cultural diplomacy by utilizing literature and gastronomy as significant forms of soft power to represent national identity on the international stage.
The occasion, known as "Dari Kata ke Rasa" (From Words to Taste), took place on with the purpose of emphasizing the significant impact of literature and culinary arts on the advancement of Indonesia's diplomatic relations, as described in a statement issued by the Ministry of Culture.
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Endah Retnoastuti, the Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation, emphasized the significance of Indonesia's traditional and modern cultural representations as essential elements in defining the national identity amidst the increasingly competitive global landscape.
“Literature and gastronomy are unique sources of Indonesia’s soft power because they are deeply rooted in society,” Retnoastuti says, adding that the Ministry of Culture shares responsibility for supporting the country’s broader diplomatic agenda led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She observed that following the inception of the Ministry of Culture last year, the government has started to formulate a more cohesive strategy towards cultural diplomacy and its associated endeavors.
Retnoastuti emphasized the interconnected relationship between cultural promotion and the enhancement of the well-being of cultural communities, especially through the innovative economic sector.
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Retnoastuti conveyed optimism that the talk show would foster enhanced collaboration across various sectors, allowing Indonesia to fully leverage its cultural and culinary legacy as diplomatic assets.
“Only then can culture truly become an engine of national progress,” she said.
Kamapradipta Isnomo, an advisor to the foreign minister specializing in socio-cultural affairs and human empowerment, expressed a similar sentiment.
He emphasized the immense potential of literature and gastronomy as powerful tools for conveying Indonesia's rich values and historical heritage on a global scale.
“Literature reflects a nation’s history, character and social life, while gastronomy conveys its emotional essence,” Isnomo said, also pointing to Indonesia’s vast collection of ancient manuscripts as an underutilized cultural asset.
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Concurrently, E. Aminudin Aziz, the Director of the National Library, outlined plans for the adaptation of ancient manuscripts into 25 comic books through a collaborative effort with the community. This initiative is aimed at both preserving and promoting Indonesia’s literary heritage to appeal to younger audiences.