Cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia: New partnerships
In a strategic move reflecting the depth of bilateral relations, cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia witnessed significant progress following the official visit of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the Saudi Minister of Culture, to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. This visit aimed to strengthen and expand partnerships in the fields of museums, arts, Arabic language, and heritage, opening new horizons for intellectual and creative exchange between the two countries.
Historical roots and strong ties
Saudi-Indonesian relations are based on deep historical and religious foundations that extend back decades. The two countries share a common Islamic heritage and close fraternal ties, strengthened by ancient pilgrimage and trade caravans. In modern times, these ties have evolved to encompass various political and economic spheres, culminating today in a notable focus on the cultural sector. His Highness the Minister of Culture began his visit with a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, His Excellency Dr. Fadli Zon, where both sides affirmed at the outset their pride in this historical depth, which represents a solid foundation for building a shared and sustainable cultural future.
Dimensions of cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia
His Highness the Minister of Culture commended the level of cultural exchange between the two countries across various fields. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance participation in joint cultural events and to elevate cooperation in several cultural sectors, reflecting the growing cultural dynamism. The two sides also discussed opportunities to expand institutional partnerships, praising the existing collaboration between the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and several Indonesian museums, which resulted in the loan of artworks displayed in the last edition of the 2025 Diriyah Biennale of Islamic Arts. Furthermore, they confirmed Indonesia's participation in the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, "Banan," scheduled for November 2025.
Promoting the presence of the Arabic language and preserving heritage
The meeting addressed the pioneering efforts of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language in promoting Arabic language education through collaboration with several Indonesian universities. In a related context, His Highness the Minister of Culture, accompanied by his Indonesian counterpart, visited the National Museum of Indonesia. They were received by the head of the Indonesian Heritage Agency, Ms. Indira Astianti Nurjadin. This museum is one of the most prominent cultural landmarks in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1868, it houses approximately 160,000 artifacts covering the history of the Indonesian archipelago in its various periods, including items from the Islamic civilization. During the tour, His Highness was briefed on the museum's efforts in preserving Indonesian heritage, emphasizing the importance of museums as vital institutions in promoting cultural awareness and intercultural exchange.
Regional and international impact of technical partnerships
The visit also included the National Gallery of Indonesia, one of the country's leading art institutions, which houses more than 1,700 artworks representing the evolution of Indonesian art since the 19th century. His Highness discussed with officials ways to enhance cooperation between museum and art institutions in both countries, exploring opportunities for exchanging expertise and implementing long-term loan programs between the gallery and the Museum of World Cultures in the Kingdom. These steps are of paramount importance, as this cooperation contributes to strengthening the soft power of both nations and showcasing cultural diversity at both the regional and international levels. This visit, which was also attended by His Excellency Assistant Minister of Culture, Mr. Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Tuwaiq, aims to solidify Saudi Arabia's international cultural presence and open new horizons for creativity that will enrich the global cultural landscape.
