KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon emphasized that tempe is part of nation’s tradition and culture that should be preserved during the Tempeh Cultural Festival in Jakarta, Sunday, December 21, 2025.

"Tempeh as a culinary item is a food loved by the majority of Indonesian people, but behind that, there is also a tradition and knowledge related to its fermentation," he said, as quoted by Antara. 

He further noted that the production and business of tempeh involve a vast network of communities and workers across the nation.

"Because within culture, including the objects of cultural advancement, local food is included. Since local food contains cultural expressions, it cannot be separated from cultural expression," he said. 

The Ministry of Culture organized the Tempeh Cultural Festival specifically to safeguard the preservation of tempeh-making traditions. The festival, themed "Tempeh Culture: Living Heritage from Indonesia for the World," featured cultural exhibitions and products made from tempeh.

"Hopefully, tempeh culture, which we have proposed since early last year, can be designated as part of UNESCO's world intangible cultural heritage by late 2026," the Minister of Culture expressed. 

The event also included a public show of support for the submission of tempeh culture to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Additionally, 3K and 10K Fun Runs were held as part of the festival's activities to link tempeh and heritage preservation with a healthy lifestyle. ***