The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
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Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
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The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in collaboration with Harambee University launched two books on tourism and media in Adama on Saturday (15/6).
In a press statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Sunday (16/6), Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia Al Busyra Basnur said that the book entitled ‘Global Connectivity and Economic Development and Media and Public Diplomacy for International Connectivity’ is a collection of writings containing thoughts, suggestions and ideas from Indonesian and Ethiopian academics, journalists, youths and prominent figures.
According to Ambassador Bursya, the publication of this book is a form of Indonesia's public diplomacy aimed at encouraging the development of greater connectivity and cooperation between Indonesian and Ethiopian non-governmental actors, especially among writers.
Ambassador Busyra also said that the two books deliberately raised global issues to be read both by Indonesians and Ethiopians and by the public in various countries so that they know the main issues of tourism and media in global development. Thus, the thoughts and views of Indonesians and Ethiopians can be a reference for the world community.
The book launch and discussion were attended by around 150 students, academics, Ethiopian young leaders, business-people, journalists, members of the House of Representatives and Ethiopian government officials. The book launch was followed by a discussion at Harambee University.
Since 2020, the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa has published 10 books. Three books were written by Ambassador Al Busyra Basnur, while the other seven books are a collection of writings by academics, journalists, youth, and other professionals from Indonesia and Ethiopia.
On Saturday, June 15, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tunisia held an Indonesia-Tunisia Cultural Day with the local cultural organization, The Phoenix Association, at the Embassy Building in Tunis.
Indonesian Ambassador to Tunisia Zuhairi Misrawi said the event was a form of cultural diplomacy, which became Indonesia's flagship strategy to introduce national culture, and strengthen cultural cooperation at the global level.
Ambassador Zuhairi Misrawi said that culture is an important basis in building national civilization and strengthening diplomacy between countries. Zuhairi Misrawi, as stated in a statement received by Indonesia Window in Jakarta on Saturday (15/6), said that the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis has a priority in making culture a bridge of bilateral cooperation with Tunisia. The Indonesian Embassy in Tunis is also a 'house of culture', so it also functions to introduce the culture of the archipelago.
He also welcomed the cooperation with the Tunisian Phoenix Association whose members consist of writers, philosophers, culturalists, artists and journalists, which can support the strengthening of cooperation between Indonesia and Tunisia in the field of culture.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Phoenix Association Basma al-Marwani expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis and Ambassador Zuhairi Misrawi for the hospitality and cultural cooperation, which will become a very strong diplomatic bridge for Indonesia and Tunisia.
The Indonesian Embassy in Suva, Fiji, on Saturday (15/06/2024) held a fun walk as a part to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Fiji bilateral relations.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji Dupito D. Simamora said the event through a cooperation with Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association (FIFA) represents the long road of the two countries' mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
Dupito in a written statement quoted by Antara news in Jakarta said the fun walk aimed to unite the community to celebrate the two nations' great journey and a promise to keep the relationship and cooperation in the future.
Besides Dupito, the event was jointly opened by the Acting President of Fiji Salesi Temo and the Chairman of FIFA and former Ambassador of Fiji to Indonesia Tui Cavuilati.
The participants began the fun walk at 7 am local time from Albert Park Lower Hall in Suva, going through Queen Elizabeth Drive to Suzuki Park, before finishing back at Albert Park, where the participants could enjoy snacks.
The event was joined by more than 300 people from diplomatic corps, Fiji government officials, alumni of Indonesian Scholarship to Fiji, local students, and Indonesian citizens community in Fiji.
Dupito also highlighted the Queen Victoria School students, who received rehabilitation assistance from the Indonesian Government after being damaged by Cyclone Winston in 2016, as proof of the close bilateral relations and long-lasting mutual cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji.
Apart from the fun walk, the Indonesian Embassy in Suva also held some other events to commemorate half a century of relations between Indonesia and Fiji.
The agenda includes the handing over of medical equipment grants to empower Fiji's rural communities, holding seminars on the theme of Indonesia-Fiji cooperation with Fiji National University, as well as the launch of the Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association.
The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Trade and the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo inaugurated the 11th outlet for Indonesian vehicle tires and rims belonging to the Ashrafco company in the Madinaty, New Cairo, Egypt district last Sunday (9/6).
Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf, said on Wednesday (13/6/2024) that the inauguration of Ashrafco's 11th outlet is expected to boost Indonesian exports to the Egyptian market, especially tire and vehicle rim products. He hopes to continue working with Ashrafco to market superior Indonesian products in Egypt.
Indonesian Trade Attaché in Cairo, M. Syahran Bhakti, who was present on behalf of Ambassador Lutfi, said the Madinaty district, which is the location of the 11th outlet, is a strategic place and is only 25 kilometers from the new administrative capital of Egypt.
Syahran Bhakti said Ashrafco is a company from Egypt which is the sole agent for three large Indonesian companies, namely PT Elang Perdana Tire Industry with vehicle tire products, as well as PT Bangun Sarana Alloy and PT Prima Alloy Universal with vehicle rim products.
He also appreciated Egyptian importer Ashrafco for the cooperation, loyalty, and dedication that has been built with the Indonesian company since starting the vehicle tire and rim business in 1986.
Ashrafco company owners, Khaled Hammad and Ashraf Hammad Shehata, were also present at the inauguration. Khaled Hammad said Ashrafco will continue to provide special services for customers.
According to him, Indonesian tire and rim products distributed by Ashrafco will continue to target the upper middle class. He claimed that he would continue to prioritize special services, such as door-to-door services and online services to attract customers.
Khaled Hammad also expressed his appreciation for the assistance and facilities provided by the Cairo Trade Attaché, so that he could establish business relationships with Indonesian tire and rim companies.
This year, Ashrafco imported Indonesian tires and rims worth more than 5 million US dollars. Khaled Hammad is optimistic Indonesian tires and rims can compete and are increasingly in demand in the Egyptian market.
On the sidelines of the inauguration of the outlet, Syahran Bhakti also invited Egyptian vehicle tire, rim, and automotive business players to visit the 39th Indonesian Trade Exhibition that will take place on 9-12 October 2024 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition Bumi Serpong Damai City, Tangerang, themed, “Build Strong Connection with The Best of Indonesia.”
Photo credit: detik/KJRI Cape Town
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Cape Town, South Africa strengthened social and cultural cooperation with South Africa by holding a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the Castle of Good Hope, on Thursday (00/5). The FGD was attended by a number of public figures, such as members of the South African parliament, judges, artists and film industry players, lawyers, general managers and journalists of Voice of the Cape, academicians, religious leaders and entrepreneurs. The FGD was also attended by a delegation from the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia which was visiting Cape Town to meet partners there and review the implementation of the South African elections. According to a press release from the Indonesian Consulate General in Cape Town received in Jakarta on Saturday (1/6), Tudiono highlighted the historical and cultural closeness between Indonesia and South Africa.
Meanwhile, the owner and curator of the Cape Heritage Museum, Ighsaan Higgins, highlighted the ancestors of South Africans; many of whom came from Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. In 1694, the great warrior and scholar of the archipelago from Gowa, Sheikh Yusuf Al Makassari was exiled to Cape Town and introduced Islam in South Africa. For his services, he was awarded the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Gold by South African President, Oliver Reginald Thambo in 2005. In 1780, Tuan Guru of Tidore was imprisoned on Robben Island, which was also Nelson Mandela's prison. After his release, Tuan Guru of Tidore founded the first madrasa which was later built into a mosque and named Masjid Auwal, the first mosque in South Africa. This mosque is located in the Bo Kaap area and still stands strong, and it is used for worship today. These two names are part of the Indonesian people who came to South Africa, and became the forerunner of the formation of the Cape Malay community, whose population has now exceeded 300 thousand people.
Moreover, Voice of the Cape senior presenter, Owner and Curator of the Cape Heritage Museum Ighsaan Higgins highlighted that many South Africans' ancestors came from Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. He has seen the importance of developing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of art, culture, music and film. On that occasion, Tudiono also said that the Consulate General in Cape Town will organize the Indonesian Folk Market (IFM) on November 9 and the Indonesian Film Festival on November 10 and 11. The IFM was first held in Cape Town in 2023 and featured Indonesian art, culture, culinary, and products. At the request of the Mossel Bay Municipality (400 km from Cape Town), a second Indonesian Folk Market was held in Mossel Bay, which was also part of the 30th anniversary of Indonesia-South Africa diplomatic relations. The third IFM will feature a Betawi art team that will collaborate with the EOAN Group dance group led by alumni of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship.
Photo credit: kemlu.go.id
Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi said that 2025 is an important momentum for Indonesian diplomacy in Japan. Indonesia will participate in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. This was affirmed by Ambassador Heri in his remarks at the opening of Festival Indonesia (FESTINA) in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Sunday (2/6), as quoted from an official statement. FESTINA is part of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Day (IJFD) integrated promotion and service program in Sendai from May 31 to June 2, 2024. It was attended by more than 200 Indonesians and Japanese citizens.
On the occasion, Ambassador Heri Akhmadi invited the Japanese people to visit the Indonesian Pavilion at the World Expo 2025, which will carry the theme “Nature, Culture and the Future” in accordance with the spirit of sustainable development goals. The Indonesian Pavilion will be strategically present next to the pavilion from Australia, and a number of International organizations.
As part of IJFD Sendai 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo organized consular and other services and consultations, such as education and financial services. The event was attended by more than 300 Indonesian citizens and Diaspora living in Japan. Ambassador Heri used this opportunity to call for the importance of self-reporting for Indonesian citizens in Japan.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo was also present at FESTINA promoting Indonesian products through a mini bazaar. In a series of IJFD Sendai 2024 activities, he also held a meeting with Governor of Miyagi Murai Yoshihiro. They discussed cooperation to strengthen labor, research and the halal industry.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Mayor of Sendai, Kohri Kazuko, Ambassador Heri encouraged the establishment of an association of Indonesian and Sendai communities to facilitate communication and strengthen mutual trust between the two nations. Their activities include organizing the Indonesia International Friendship Day in Sendai in Summer 2025. The same thing was also conveyed by Ambassador Heri when he met the Miyagi International Association (MIA).
VOInews, Jakarta: Painting is a beautiful medium of expression of deep human imagination and creativity. For artists, the process of creating art is a challenging but fulfilling journey. Behind every beautiful painting are secrets and tips that help each artist create the magic of their artwork. According to the Ministry of Education and Culture's Vocational website, here are five ways to produce beautiful paintings by Eko Haryono, a Fine Arts teacher at Bantul Fine Arts High School, Yogyakarta.
Firstly, find inspiration. This inspiration can come from anywhere, from nature, music, emotions, or personal experiences. The beauty around you can influence the artwork you are creating. It is therefore important to keep notes, take photos, or sketches to record the ideas that arise.
Secondly, choose an appropriate medium. There are various mediums to choose from such as oil paints, watercolours, acrylics and pastels. The use of the medium reflects the painter's style and preferences. Each medium has its own unique characteristics such as texture, drying time, and application method that can affect the final result of the painting.
Thirdly, explore techniques and styles. Don't be afraid to experiment with different painting techniques and styles. A number of techniques can be tried such as impasto, glazing, or wet on wet. Besides techniques, it is also important to explore different painting styles such as realism, impressionism, or abstract. This exploration can help the artist find what best suits his or her creative expression.
Fourthly, learn the basics of colour composition. Composition is the key to creating visually appealing paintings. Learn about the basic rules of composition such as the rule of thirds, balance, and rhythm. Understand how to utilise negative and positive space in a work. By understanding the basics of composition, painters can direct the viewer's eye to the desired focal point and create a strong visual impression.
Fifthly, be consistent in your practice. As with many things in life, the skill of creating beautiful paintings requires practice and patience. Make time to paint regularly and don't be too hard on yourself if the results are not satisfactory. Every painting is a lesson and the more one practices, the more the painting skills will be honed.
These are five tips to create beautiful paintings. Painting is a liberating and fulfilling process where one can express oneself through shapes and colours. So don't hesitate to pick up a brush, open a colour palette, and start expressing the world through the medium of painting.
The Indonesian Embassy in The Hague organized Pasar Indonesia on June 1 and 2, 2024 at De Broodfabriek Rijswijk. Previously, the Embassy has also organized the IndoFest and East Indonesia Festival at the end of 2022 and 2023. Involving the diaspora, these festivals exhibited Indonesian products and products of Indonesian importers enlivened by various art and cultural performances.
The Indonesia Market 2024 also aimed to facilitate Indonesian entrepreneurs who participated in the Tong Tong Fair (TTF) event on May 24-June 2, 2024. However, the Tong Tong Fair was abruptly canceled by the organizers. In addition, this event also provided an entertainment stage for art and cultural performers who were originally going to be involved in the Tong Tong Fair.
The festival themed ''Indonesian Market: 100% Authentic' featured 36 product stands, 11 culinary stands, and 3 beverage stands. The beverage stand presented Indonesian coffee and drinks. Other stands offered fashion, handicrafts, accessories, as well as packaged food and snacks. The Indonesian products had arrived at the Port of Rotterdam and displayed at Bakerij 2 De Broodfabriek.
Visitors were also entertained with a variety of cross-genre cultural performances including Balawan music group, Djoko SSP who presents archipelago wastra and angklung, and the Kuping Panjang Cultural Mission Team from Kalimantan, who presented a photo exhibition, Sape music and Hudoq dance.
Photo credit: kemlu.go.id
The Republic of Indonesia and the Czech Republic through the signing of an official Letter of Intent form a Sister City Cooperation which is full of cultural heritage between the Cities of Yogyakarta and Hluboká nad Vltavou in the South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic.
The Indonesian Embassy in Prague, through its official statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday, said that this cooperation was a historic step in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The signing of the cooperation document was carried out by Acting Mayor of Yogyakarta and the Mayor of Hluboká nad Vltavou who were accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Prague, Mrs. Kenssy D. Ekaningsih and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Jakarta, Mr. Jaroslav Doleček and witnessed by relevant officials from the government and the Regional House of Representatives of Yogyakarta City, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indonesian Embassy in Prague.
This cooperation covers various fields, including tourism promotion, cultural exchanges and performances, development of small and medium enterprises, as well as education and youth. Within the next year, it is hoped that the implementation of this collaboration can be expressed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The two delegations also held coordination meetings with related partners, guided by the Economic and Cooperation Section of the Yogyakarta city government to formulate work plans as a follow-up to the Letter of Intent.
The cities of Yogyakarta and Hluboká nad Vltavou have similarities as world tourist destinations because they host UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis (The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta), Český Krumlov City (Historic Center of Český Krumlov), and Holašovice Village ( Holašovice Historic Village).
The people of both cities equally uphold their cultural heritage, which can be seen from serious efforts to preserve this wealth through various cultural heritage programs, festivals and interactive education for the younger generation.
Mayor of Hluboká, Tomáš Jirsa, who also serves as Senator of the Czech Republic, praised the progress of development in the Yogyakarta area and highlighted the positive things about the involvement of the entire community in the local economy which is based on the tourism sector.
The Indonesian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Kenssy D. Ekaningsih, who has directly supervised the initiative to establish this cooperation since July 2023, appreciated the enthusiasm and hard work of the delegations from both countries in realizing cooperation between sister cities in a relatively short time.
Photo credit: rri.co.id/istimewa
Four Islamic Development Network (IDN) Jonggol Junior School (SMP) Students, Bogor regency, West Java, succeeded in winning the best performance medal award in the 21st Guangxi Youth Robotics Competition which took place in Laibin, Guangxi, China from 18 to 19 May 2024. The four outstanding Indonesian students are Aurell Ghania Ramadhani, Furqon Abdul Aziz, Rayhan Kenzie Avando, and Mohammed Jiazhen Faheem.
The 21st Guangxi Adolescent Robotics Competition was attended by 4,000 participants, 1,000 of whom came from China, and 3,000 participants came from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Feti Paramida as accompanying teacher said, apart from honing students' skills in the IT field, the Guangxi Youth Robotics Competition also motivates students to show off their talents in international events, sharpen their English language skills and provide an extraordinary experience. In this competition, children who are involved in the world of IT robotics competed in basic robot skills, a robot hegemony competition, a competition for robots carrying Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Feti, students of the Islamic Development Network (IDN) Jonggol have been given three years of training in skills to develop games, create websites, build robots, edit videos, design and create applications as part of the school curriculum. She stated that IDN students will be able to master the sciences in IT even though they are still young. This skill is a complement to the ability to memorize the Al-Qur'an as the key to success in this world and the afterlife.