Malang recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City for Media Arts

Malang, East Java, has been recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City in the field of Media Arts. Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya emphasized that this designation serves as a starting point to further develop local talent and creative ecosystems to drive economic welfare.

During the Festival Mbois 11, themed ‘Malang Menyala’, the Minister highlighted the importance of the Malang Creative Center (MCC) in maintaining a living ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship and job creation. He noted that such festivals provide essential spaces where ideas, talent, markets, and investment intersect, allowing creative works to be protected via intellectual property rights and successfully commercialized.

The development of the region's creative economy is supported by collaboration between central and local governments, guided by Presidential Regulation Number 37 of 2026. This framework aims to strengthen research, education, financing, infrastructure, and marketing to boost the creative sector through 2045.