HALO JATENG- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron visited Borobudur Temple and the Military Academy (Akmil) campus located in Magelang Regency on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
President Prabowo Subianto said it was a great honor to receive the visit of the French President at Borobudur Temple. This is because the site has been designated by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site rich in history and spiritual meaning.
“It is an honor for me to be able to accompany my friend the President of France. Indonesia and France are two great nations with a long history and deeply rooted culture, as well as a long civilization,” he said.
Indonesia as a nation that has the basic philosophy of the Pancasila state which respects all religions and all beliefs. Indonesia and France also have the same humanitarian values.
“Tolerance and respect for cultural heritage, respect for all religions and beliefs, races, and all ethnic groups,” said Prabowo.
He added that the friendship, trust, collaboration, and partnership between Indonesia and France will continue. This will be a bridge for cultural figures, artists, and creative industry players between the two countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Borobudur Temple is a testimony to the greatness of this civilization. Borobudur, which is also used for worship activities, is a spiritual masterpiece of architecture and is proof of Indonesia’s superiority.
“Borobudur is a place of worship and there are hundreds, even thousands of people who come to worship and show the universal message, tolerance, and respect that Indonesia conveys,” he said.
Macron also expressed his admiration for Indonesia’s rich history, artistic, and culture. According to him, Borobudur Temple is not just a monument, but a symbol of human excellence and a source of inspiration for the whole world.
In front of the world’s cultural heritage, Macron conveyed the opportunity to increase cooperation in the creative industry between Indonesia and France. It is known that so far many artists and creative industry players have been known in France.
For example, in the film sector, many Indonesian figures have been known through the Cannes Film Festival and other events. Likewise in the fashion sector, where many designers have been involved in fashion week in France.
Meanwhile, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said that the visit is believed to increase tourism in Central Java, especially at Borobudur Temple.
This is because the French President’s visit provides an image for Borobudur Temple as a world tourist destination.
The increase in tourist visits to Borobudur, said Luthfi, will open up economic opportunities for the surrounding areas. Moreover, in the future there is a projection for the development of a tourist agglomeration that makes Borobudur the center, then connected to several tourist destinations in the surrounding areas such as Kopeng and Rawa Pening in Semarang Regency.
In addition to tourism, the arrival of the French President can also be a lever for the development of the creative economy in Indonesia and Central Java.
“This is a very big potential for our region,” said Luthfi. (*)
