In commemoration of the first anniversary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesiana.TV is organizing a video reels competition titled EKSPLORNESIANA – Cultural Content Exploration Indonesiana.TV. This program opens opportunities for selected creators to explore cultural destinations in four provinces, namely the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Mojokerto, South Sulawesi, and Jambi, inspired by the shows on Indonesiana.TV.

This activity aims to introduce Indonesiana.TV as a media channel for Indonesian culture, increase public participation in the production and publication of creative cultural content, and foster a spirit of appreciation and pride in the cultural wealth of the archipelago. In addition, EKSPLORNESIANA is also aimed at enhancing cultural literacy among the public through the exploration of shows on Indonesiana.TV, strengthening the network of cultural creators, and expanding the audience reach and impact of cultural content in the digital space.

The selection process will take place from October 22 to November 10, 2025. From all participants in the competition, eight winners will be selected and tasked with sharing the excitement of EKSPLORNESIANA through their respective social media accounts. As a condition of participation, participants are required to choose one of the available contents on the Indonesiana.TV channel, then repackage it into video reels according to the established guidelines.

The eight winners of EKSPLORNESIANA are Frans Sitanggang (@duniafrans), Fathin Farah Fadillah (@fathinfarahf), Cahaya Purnama (@cahaya.rm), Irman Taopik (@irmantaopik), Reizha Ananda Setyara (@rezzawyx), Heri Saputra (@putra_tarigas), Rachmy Austin Wahyuningtyas (@rachmyaustin), and Ego (@egoo.o).

In addition to having the opportunity to explore various regions in Indonesia, the winners are also required to produce and upload video content documenting their journeys, local culinary specialties, daily activities, and a compilation of all activities as a form of disseminating cultural values to the public.

Exploring the Beauty of Temples and Cultural Performances in Yogyakarta

As one of the winners, Frans Sitanggang (@duniafrans) had the opportunity to delve into Yogyakarta as an EKSPLORNESIANA destination. The journey began by tracing the historical and cultural life in the Prambanan area and the city of Yogyakarta. The exploration started at Prambanan Temple, then continued to several temples in the vicinity, such as Sewu Temple, Lumbung Temple, Bubrah Temple, and Plaosan Temple.

From the temple area, the journey continued to Bugisan Tourism Village, where creators experienced the creative process of the local community through activities such as ecoprint batik, mask painting, and dialogue with artisans. In the evening, the creators watched the Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan, a classical performance that combines dance, gamelan music, and the epic story of Ramayana.

The next day, the exploration continued to the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, Vredeburg Fortress, and Sonobudoyo Museum. The journey in Yogyakarta concluded with tasting Mangut Lele Mbah Marto, a legendary culinary dish that has become one of the icons of the region's gastronomy.

Tracing the World's Oldest Cave Paintings in South Sulawesi

In South Sulawesi, the EKSPLORNESIANA team, along with Fathin Farah Fadillah (@fathinfarahf) and Cahaya Purnama (@cahaya.rm), began their journey from Bantimurung National Park, an area known as The Kingdom of Butterflies due to its geological richness and biodiversity.

The journey continued to the Leang-Leang Prehistoric Site, which houses hand paintings and ancient animals recognized as some of the oldest cave paintings in the world. From there, the exploration continued to Rammang-Rammang, the third largest karst expanse in the world. By tracing the Pute River, the creators enjoyed the panorama of karst cliffs before arriving at Berua Village, a hidden settlement among the limestone formations.

To conclude the journey, the exploration continued to Makassar City, visiting the Floating Mosque, the Tomb of Prince Diponegoro, the Makassar City Museum, and Fort Rotterdam, four points that record the spiritual, historical, and maritime cultural footprints of South Sulawesi.

Uncovering the Footprints of Ancient Government Centers in Jambi

Moving to Sumatra Island, Irman Taopik (@irmantaopik) and Reizha Ananda Setyara (@rezzawyx) explored the Muaro Jambi Temple Area, the largest temple complex in Southeast Asia that witnessed the glory of the Ancient Malay Kingdom. The journey continued to Koto Mahligai, an ancient government center that holds traces of the early formation of political and cultural identity in Jambi.

The exploration series continued to the Siginjei Museum, which presents a depiction of the history, archaeology, and cultural heritage of Jambi over time. The content creators then visited the Stone House located across the river. The journey continued by crossing the river via the Gentala Arasy Bridge while enjoying the panorama of the Batanghari River towards the Jambi City area.

The exploration also included the Sekoja area (across from Jambi City), an old region with a row of stilt houses that symbolize the early spread of Islam in Jambi. The journey in Jambi concluded with a visit to the Nurul Iman Madrasah, a historical building that has been designated as a cultural heritage site. This madrasah was one of the main pillars of education for the Jambi community at the time, playing an important role in enlightening the people while also serving as a means of cultural resistance against Dutch colonialism.

Tracing the Glory of Majapahit in East Java

Returning to Java Island, Heri Saputra (@putra_tarigas) and Rachmy Austin Wahyuningtyas (@rachmyaustin) explored the Trowulan area in Mojokerto to trace the glory of the Majapahit Kingdom. The visit began at Bajang Ratu Temple, a magnificent gate believed to have played an important role in the royal complex.

The journey continued to Tikus Temple, a royal bathing site that reflects the sophistication of the water management system during the Majapahit era. The exploration series concluded at Brahu Temple, one of the largest buildings in Trowulan that is believed to have once been the center of spiritual and religious activities.

The implementation of Eksplornesiana in Mojokerto, East Java, is part of documenting how a cultural ecosystem, both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, is presented within the same region. A civilization that spans far and colors as well as gives meaning to the journey of a cultural entity from prehistoric times to the contemporary period can be documented. This activity aims to explore and convey that today's civilization is a result of past civilizations. The excellence and grandeur of today are initiated and perfected from previous civilizations.

Through the implementation of EKSPLORNESIANA, it is hoped that a new spirit will grow among young creators to recognize, appreciate, and package the values of Indonesian culture into creative, informative, inspirational, and easily accessible digital content for the wider community. More than just a competition, EKSPLORNESIANA is expected to become a space for learning, collaboration, and strengthening digital cultural literacy, while also encouraging the use of media platforms as a means of preserving and promoting Indonesian culture sustainably.