Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon is actively considering integrating pencak silat, a traditional Indonesian martial art, into the national school curriculum to reconnect students with their cultural and sports traditions.
"We will strive to make pencak silat a part of cultural and sports traditions for the younger generation by including it in the school curriculum, both formal and informal education," he noted in the ministry's statement here on Friday.
At the Pledge of Determination of Pencak Silat Tradition as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday (December 12), Zon said that pencak silat is a cultural product that showcases the tradition of character building.
He explained that pencak silat includes physical exercise and the cultivation of honesty, mutual understanding, and humility values.
In addition to striving to include pencak silat in the school curriculum, Zon encouraged the use of technology and digital media to promote pencak silat as a cultural heritage.
The minister also underscored the need for cooperation between sectors at home and abroad to promote pencak silat to the international community.
"The use of media, such as films, can introduce Indonesian pencak silat and the athletes to the world," he remarked.
The UNESCO has designated the pencak silat tradition as a world intangible cultural heritage on December 12, 2019.
Since receiving recognition from UNESCO, pencak silat figures, elders, coaches, schools, and organizations in Indonesia have actively participated in the efforts to preserve the pencak silat tradition.
"With utmost pride, I can report to UNESCO that the pencak silat tradition is still here and will always develop," Zon affirmed.
The minister ensured the government always supports efforts to preserve and promote pencak silat in various countries.
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Translator: Putri H, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
