Gamelan Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - Gamelan was officially designated as an intangible cultural heritage at the UNESCO session in Paris, France, Wednesday (15/12).

The gamelan inscription, which has been nominated by Indonesia since 2019, has become the 12th cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Previously, Indonesia had wayang, kris, batik, batik education, angklung, Saman dance, three genres of Balinese dance, noken, pinisi, pencak silat, and pantun.

Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makariem said he was proud of the latest UNESCO designation.

"Gamelan is a national identity and pride. Gamelan has even colored the treasures of musical arts in Indonesia," said Nadiem, Wednesday (15/12).

Not only that, he continued, gamelan music had also given great inspiration and influence to world music.

Indonesian Ambassador and Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar, said gamelan had long been used as a diplomatic asset.

Mohamad said he was committed to continuing to promote gamelan through various activities, such as cultural exchanges.