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‘Kongsi’ exhibition showcases Chinese-Indonesia cultural fusion
Since thousands of years ago, Chinese culture has interacted with local cultures to become what is Indonesian culture today, with the acculturation celebrated in a three-month exhibition at the National Museum in Jakarta.
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A visitor looks at wayang potehi (Chinese glove puppetry) on Feb. 11, 2025, showcased at the “Kongsi: Chinese Acculturation in Indonesia“ exhibition at the National Museum in Jakarta. The Indonesia Heritage Agency (IHA), a public service agency under the Culture Ministry, is holding the exhibition to shed light on how Chinese culture has contributed to present-day Indonesian culture. (Antara/Aprillio Akbar )
A recently opened exhibition in Jakarta organized by the Indonesia Heritage Agency (IHA), a public service agency (BLU) under the Culture Ministry, emphasizes the appreciation of Chinese culture as part of broader heritage preservation efforts in Indonesia.
The exhibition, titled “Kongsi: Chinese Acculturation in Indonesia”, highlights the contributions of Chinese culture to Indonesia’s diverse heritage, making the archipelago a cultural melting pot with influences from Chinese traders and other travelers shaping local traditions.
“The acculturation of Chinese culture has had a significant impact in enriching our culture,” Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in his remarks at the exhibition’s launching ceremony at the National Museum in Jakarta on Monday.
The exhibition was held to coincide with the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29, as well as the Cap Go Meh marking the 15th and final day of the Lunar New Year celebrations on Friday. It is slated to run for three months with an admission fee of Rp 25,000 (US$1.53) in addition to the museum’s entrance fee.
Read also: More Chinese-Indonesians using online services to find their Chinese names
Through Kongsi, the Culture Ministry also aimed to make the National Museum more inclusive and provide space for the country’s diverse cultures while raising public awareness that Indonesian culture has been shaped through interactions with various influences.
