ASIATODAY.ID, PARIS – The Archipelago Street was inaugurated at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France on Monday, November 13 2023.
The inauguration of The Archipelago Street was attended by a number of Ambassadors and representatives of friendly countries, the UNESCO Secretariat and several Central delegations from countries attending the 42nd UNESCO General Conference on 7-22 November 2023.
The Archipelago Street is a special area at UNESCO Headquarters which is dedicated as an exhibition space for eleven art objects donated by the Indonesian Government to UNESCO. The 11 cultural objects are a replica of an ancient human skull, a model of Borobudur, a model of Prambanan, a relief of Samudra Raksa, a painting of the death of Kumbakarna by Nyoman Mandra, a Garuda Wisnu Kencana by Nyoman Nuarta, a Borobudur silver souvenir, a statue of a flute player, and a robot angklung by Eko Mursito.
In addition, there are digital maps and inventories that offer an overview of all 66 UNESCO cultural and natural heritage sites in Indonesia.
Ambassador Mohamad Oemar as Indonesia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to preserving and restoring cultural objects through UNESCO, one of which is realized through The Archipelago Street.
“As the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia’s history is closely intertwined with environmental diversity, cultural exchange and religious pluralism, which can be seen from the many cultural and natural heritage sites spread throughout the archipelago,” he said, quoted on Wednesday (15/11/2023 ).
Mr Nicholas Jeffrey, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Administration and Management, on this occasion expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Government for supporting UNESCO in efforts to safeguard and restore works of art.
According to Mr. Nicholas Jeffrey, Indonesia is an important partner for UNESCO, especially in the field of culture.
As a country that has extraordinary cultural diversity, Indonesia is believed to be an important actor in preserving and protecting culture in the world.
Meanwhile, Hilmar Farid as Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia emphasized that cultural heritage in Indonesia is a contemporary reflection of values that are preserved for future generations.
He said that part of the diversity of cultural heritage across the Indonesian archipelago is reflected in The Archipelago Street and Indonesia invited UNESCO member countries to explore Indonesia’s cultural heritage which provides an in-depth picture of its significance in the future.
“Indonesia is the first UNESCO member country to have a special area to exhibit cultural arts objects at UNESCO Headquarters,” he explained.
The Archipelago Street is a permanent area at UNESCO Headquarters for at least the next five years, emphasizing the importance of Indonesia’s cultural heritage not only now, but also in the future. The arrangement of cultural objects in separate areas with their curation at UNESCO is a pilot and it is hoped that in the future other UNESCO member countries will follow suit. (AT Network)
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