VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Tourism Promotion Representative Office in Paris (VITO) creates innovative and creative promotional activities through La Maison de L'Indonesie or House of Indonesia in Paris.

Head of the VITO Office, Eka Moncarre, told Antara London, Thursday that while waiting for French tourists to visit Indonesia again, La Maison de l'Andonésie brought Indonesia to France through local and gastronomic products.

She admitted, during the pandemic when foreign tourists could not visit Indonesia because of travel restrictions that were still tight, promotions had to be done creatively and innovatively.

Eka Moncarre who is also the founder of the House of Indonesia Paris (La Maison De L'Indonesie), said that every Friday an event called “Happy Hour Indonesia” is held in the form of a pop-up store at the VITO office at 22 rue Laplace 75005 Paris.

"Visitors can try various local Indonesian products ranging from herbal medicine, chocolate, coffee to aromatherapy products, or can directly buy products imported from Indonesia," he said.

In addition, Indonesian market snacks are also available, which are served free to visitors.

"Happy Hour Indonesia has been going on since early October and has received a warm welcome from French citizens in Paris," he said.

Apart from the Happy Hour event on Saturday, October 31st, Indonesia will promote at the Weekend Market Le petit village international de gastronomie at Place Baudoyer in the center of Paris in front of the Paris City Hall.

Since the establishment of Village International de la Gastronomie in 2017, Indonesia has become a loyal partner of the festival, which in 2018 Indonesia became a country of honor.

This year, Indonesia will return from 31 October to the end of December to introduce Indonesia's rich and diverse culinary delights.

This is also an opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of French-Indonesian bilateral relations. At the Weekend Market Le Petit Village International de la Gastronomie 2020, around 23 countries will present iconic products and dishes and will change countries every week.

Indonesia will be present until December. This weekend market will also be enlivened with dances and music from various countries, cooking demonstrations by international chefs, and a gastronomy book expo by the Gourmand Book Award.

In addition to selling superior products, La Maison de l'Indonésie collaborates with Restaurant Indonesia to sell foods such as fried rice, chicken satay, and market snacks.

This activity also received support from the Indonesian Embassy in Paris by providing dances to complement the promotion of Indonesian culture in France in November. (Antaranews)