REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi received a certificate from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). With the certificate, UNESCO acknowledged the inscription of Pinisi on the list of intangible cultural heritage.

"The recognition of Pinisi as world's intangible cultural heritage is a great honor for the Indonesian people," Retno said here, Tuesday.

The certificate was delivered by Indonesian Ambassador to France and UNESCO Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. "Pinisi: the art of boat-building from South Sulawesi" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 12th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jeju, South Korea, on December 7, 2017.

Pinisi anchores at Losari Beach, South Sulawesi.

Retno reminded the people that the acknowledgement was not the country's final goal, but it would encourage Indonesia's efforts to preserve national culture. "For each UNESCO acknowledgement of an Indonesian culture or natural wealth, it will need to be complemented with a good preservation policy, including public education," the minister added.

She stressed the ministry's readiness to cooperate with all stakeholders to preserve the national culture and wealth.

Besides the newly inscribed Pinisi, Indonesia has eight cultures in the UNESCO list, namely wayang, keris, batik, angklung, Saman dance, Noken Papua, three Balinese dances and the batik education program at Batik Museum Pekalongan.

Some pinisi ships, traditional Indonesian sailing ships, anchor in Sunda Kelapa. (illustration)

The government has targeted to receive acknowledgement in 2018 for Pantun, nominated jointly with Malaysia, and Pencak Silat (Indonesian martial art) in 2019.

Meanwhile, Hotmangaradja said, the Indonesian Embassy in Paris would observe the nomination process for Pantun and Pencak Silat.

"UNESCO's acknowledgement of an element of Indonesian culture and natural wealth is an encouragement for us to preserve our nature and culture, and at the same time, it has strengthened our love for the country," Hotmangaradja remarked. 

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