VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian students and people in Hungary celebrate Idul Fitri amid the Covid-19 pandemic by enjoying Opor and Ketupats sent by the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest.  Like the previous year, for this year's Idul Fitri, the Hungarian Government still imposes restrictions on movement so that Muslims, including those from Indonesia, cannot hold Idul Fitri prayer and Halal Bi-halal activities. However, the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest continues to carry out Halal Bihalal virtually with Indonesians living in Hungary. Amidst of the restrictions on movement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the happiness of Idul Fitri could still be felt by the Indonesian people in Hungary. A week before the holiday, the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest sent packages of Idul Fitri cookies to Indonesian people and students in various cities and regions in Hungary. A number of Opor, Rendang and Ketupat Lebaran gifts were distributed right on the Idul Fitri 1442 Hijriah for Indonesian students and people in Budapest centered in three locations, which have been mutually agreed upon.

The Indonesian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina has held a series of Idul Fitri activities for the Indonesian people in Argentina, both face-to-face and virtually, remembering the lockdown that the local government still enforces to prevent the second wave of the Covid-19 transmission. A series of Idul Fitri activities began with Takbir broadcast online from Wisma Duta on Thursday morning (13/5), followed by Idul Fitri prayers at the residence of each Indonesian citizen simultaneously. More than 50 Indonesians attended the virtual Halal Bihalal with Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Niniek Kun Naryatie. In her remarks as conveyed through the release of the Indonesian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Friday (14/5), Ambassador Niniek expressed her joy because she was able to welcome the Indonesian people to the Halal Bihalal event, even though it was virtual. She hopes that next year, the Indonesian people can celebrate Idul Fitri face-to-face.

CNN again released a list of the 50 best foods in the world in April 2021. On that list, Rendang is at number 11. CNN writes, tasting Rendang when it comes out of the kitchen will make your stomach go haywire (in a positive sense), but many people think it would be better if it is left alone overnight. Besides Rendang, there are 49 other best foods that come from various countries, from Malaysia, Thailand, to the United States.

In its article, CNN briefly writes about the ingredients and the process of making this sweet and spicy dish. CNN explained, Rendang is slow-cooked beef. It is mixed with coconut milk and spices, such as lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili. Furthermore, Rendang is cooked for several hours until the meat is tender and delicious.

This Minangkabau specialty is quite easy to find outside West Sumatra, and can even be found abroad. Rendang is widely used as a food of choice for families to eat during celebrations, such as Idul Fitri and Idul Adha. Previously, Rendang won the ranking of the most delicious food by CNN in 2017.

Besides Rendang from Indonesia, CNN also includes 49 of its best food versions from various other countries, including donuts from the United States, croissants from France, and lasagna from Italy.

To maintain the moment and trust with Spanish tour operators and travel agents, the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid, Spain held a webinar entitled "Reactivating Indonesia's Tourism for the Spanish Market" on Thursday (06/5). The webinar presented Iman Santosa, Director of Regional Marketing III of the Ministry of Tourism; IBM Sade Bimantara, Director of Europe I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agus Abdul Majid, Head of Sub-Directorate for International Immigration Cooperation of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and Alfonso Carrasco, Director of Catur Viajes y Expediciones.A total of  96 sellers of Indonesian tour packages at Spain's largest tourism exhibition, FITUR, on 19-23 May participated enthusiastically. 

Chargé d'Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid, Bayu Hari Saktiawan explained the importance of conveying Indonesia's latest tourism and immigration policies amid the Covid-19 transmission, particularly foreign tourist visits. On this occasion, Bayu also conveyed the efforts of the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid to facilitate Spanish travel service players at the operational level by organizing online Indonesian language classes throughout the year.

The activities have strengthened relations between Indonesian-Spanish tourism stakeholders. Besides, the webinar participants also received information on tourism policies, immigration policies and foreign policies regarding economic recovery through the latest tourism sector. To complement the participant's marketing strategies, Bayu stated that the government is working on reopening Bali, Bintan and Batam by paying attention to the developing epidemic data for the CovidD-19. In designing travel packages, Spanish travel service actors are expected to follow the  guidance of the Clean, Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability protocols -CHSE, the guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the latest government mobility policies. In addition, itineraries can be marketed according to the interests of the Spanish people who enjoy wellness tourism, anthropology, water sports, mountain climbing and ecotourism. With the presentation from various sides, the marketing of Indonesian tour packages can be made separately, without being combined with the destinations of other countries.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization Headquarters is in Madrid and it has recognized the implementation of the CHSE protocols through the Bali tourism industry by visiting Bali directly and holding a capacity building workshop on 7-11 December 2020. Indonesia has set a barometer of inclusive and sustainable tourism by becoming the first country which signed the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics on 2 October 2020.

Spain plays an important role in Indonesian tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy noted that 262,452 Spanish tourists had visited Indonesia during the 2017-2019 period. It is at the seventh rank of the ten core markets of the European region. While, data from the Central Statistics Agency stated that averagely, Spanish tourists stayed in Indonesia  for two weeks and spent around US$1,600 dollars in 2016-2019.

The Spanish public hope to return to travel next summer. Local media anticipated the end of the Spanish state of alarm on May 9, 2021. From the aspect of the health profile of potential tourists, until May 5, 2021, the Spanish Ministry of Health has provided a complete dose of the vaccine to 11.4% of the population, it is equivalent to 5,394,315 people. While, at the regional level, the European Union has not  completed yet the verification system for the vaccine certificate (Digital Green Certificate) and mobility policies for tourists and non-essential travelers

Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union, Al Busyra Basnur explained five strategies to increase the role of Indonesian education on the international stage amid Indonesia's major role in research and education development.  The five strategies were presented in a public discussion entitled “The Position of Indonesian Education in the International World'' which was organized by “Forum Berbagi Ilmu Indonesia” an Indonesian youth organization, to commemorate the National Education Day on Thursday (6/5). During the discussion, Ambassador Al Busyra stated that the five strategies are that the government needs to expand international networks and multiply the scholarships for foreign students. In addition, the government is also required to improve the role of public diplomacy by educational institutions and organizations, then develop informal relationships with foreign educators and attempt to empower Indonesian representatives abroad.  

At the discussion, Ambassador Al Busyra also explained about the strengths and challenges faced by Indonesia to improve the role of Indonesian education on the world stage.

 He further said that Indonesia has become an increasingly important partner in research and education development. One of them can be seen from Indonesia's key role in the development of education in Ethiopia done through cooperation in the field of education of both countries.  The discussion was attended by Chairperson of the “Forum Berbagi Ilmu Indonesia“ Ivan Oktabi, and Yoga Ilhamsyah from the Indonesian Coloring Expedition as  speakers.