Yogyakarta, July 4, 2025 — Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, visited the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, also known as Gedung Agung. This visit aimed to explore the potential for collaboration between arts, culture, and the creative economy within historic spaces.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf/Bekraf - Kementerian Ekraf berencana aktivasi Gedung Agung Yogyakarta menjadi panggung ekonomi kreatif, Yogyakarta, Jumat (4/7/2025).
“Gedung Agung is not just a historical site but also a living public space. We can utilize this space as a platform for cultural diplomacy, art exhibitions, creative residencies, or cross-generational educational laboratories. Creativity can emerge from spaces with a soul, and this place is rich in meaning,” said Deputy Minister Irene on Friday, July 4, 2025.
Deputy Minister Irene noted that this visit was a concrete step in encouraging the activation of public spaces based on local values and cultural heritage to support a more inclusive creative economy ecosystem. During the visit, Irene and her delegation toured the museum area, observed artworks by Indonesian masters such as Affandi, Soedjojono, and Basuki Abdullah, and viewed archival presidential photographs.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf/Bekraf.
Afterward, Deputy Minister Irene held discussions with palace officials, addressing opportunities to activate the space not only symbolically but also functionally to strengthen Indonesia’s cultural narrative to the public. As one of the seven presidential palaces and a national cultural heritage site, Gedung Agung holds a significant role in Indonesia’s history.
Built in 1824, the palace once served as President Soekarno’s residence when Yogyakarta became the temporary capital (1946–1949). Gedung Agung has also welcomed more than 65 heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.
The visit concluded with a dinner with the Head of Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, Deni Mulyana, while exploring potential future collaborations ranging from artist residency programs, educational content activation through the museum, to strengthening cultural diplomacy through creative works rooted in local values. The event was also attended by the Special Presidential Staff for Creative Economy, Yovie Widianto, who shared his perspective.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf/Bekraf.
“We can revitalize historic spaces through creative approaches relevant to the times. The combination of arts, music, and technology can transform places like Gedung Agung into not only monuments of the past but also symbols of cross-generational inspiration,” said Yovie.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
