REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- West Sumatra's cultural diversities have become one of the supporting pillars to help Indonesia gain recognition as a cultural superpower by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"West Sumatra has varied cultures, with strong characteristics, and have become one of the supporting pillars in making Indonesia a cultural superpower," Cultural General Director of the Ministry of Education and Culture Hilmar Farid noted in Padang, Tuesday.

He made the statement after the signing of a cultural memorandum of understanding (MoU) among the central, provincial, and municipal governments in Padang.

According to Farid, UNESCO's acknowledgement is a matter of honor, as no other country in the world has received it, thereby demonstrating that Indonesia has a rich cultural heritage as compared to others.

Various Indonesian intangible heritages have also already been acknowledged by the UNESCO: Wayang, the Indonesian shadow puppet; Keris, the traditional dagger; Batik, fabric arts; Angklung, bamboo musical instrument; Papua's Noken, woven bag; and dance forms, such as Saman and Bali.

Indonesia has recorded almost 600 intangible cultural heritages nationally.

However, Farid believes this title comes with a challenge for Indonesia to make all-out efforts to conserve the cultural heritages.

He said Law Number 5 of 2017 on Cultural Advancement could serve as a foundation to support this effort.

The signing of the cultural MoU between the provincial and municipal governments is one of the efforts to preserve the existing cultures, he added.

Meanwhile, West Sumatra's Governor Irwan Prayitno said the cultural MoU is the first step towards collaborating and forging synergy in West Sumatra.

"The authority to manage the cultural sector lies in the hands of the central, provincial, and municipal governments. This MoU outlines the limitations," he said.

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