VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Embassy in Sofia is celebrating 68 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria at the National History Museum, a museum that records the journey of the Bulgarian nation and state towards democracy.

Quoted by Antara, Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia, Iwan Bogananta, through an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia on Sunday (15/9), said that the occasion was also a momentum to reflect and project closer diplomatic relations that are concrete for the two communities.

Ambassador Iwan further also said that during his four years in charge of the Indonesian Embassy in Bulgaria, the total trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria and the number of Bulgarian tourists to Indonesia increased by almost 50 per cent. Bulgaria has also supported Indonesia in various nominations for a number of positions in international institutions, such as at IMO, ITU, and UNESCO.

Ambassador Iwan Bogananta also claimed to actively echo the focus of the Indonesian Government's programmes; one of which is attracting investment to the new capital, Nusantara -IKN.

The Indonesian Embassy in Sofia facilitated the signing of an investment Letter of Interest (LoI) in the food and beverage sector amounting to US$50 million, equivalent to Rp771 billion, between Bulgarian entrepreneurs and the Indonesian Ministry of Investment in 2023.

Another concrete diplomatic achievement is that as a result of the working visit of the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy to Bulgaria in June 2023, Bulgaria is designated as a hub for the Indonesia Spice Up the World programme for the European market.

This was then followed up with the facilitation of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Marketing Mission with a total trade agreement of US$3 million equivalent to 46.2 billion rupiah in November 2023.

According to Ambassador Iwan, to support the Golden Indonesia 2045 target, future bilateral relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria will focus on strategic industries, technology and education.

This year's diplomatic reception at the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia was attended by more than 200 guests from the central government, local governments, accomplished business people, education and arts communities, and the Indonesian diaspora in Bulgaria.

The guests were treated to dance performances of West Sumatra and West Kalimantan by Pesona Mawar Nusantara, the strings of Maya Hasan's harp, and the strains of Iskandar Wijaya's violin.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing, China, promotes Indonesia’s tourism at the Ninth Colorful World-Cultural Exhibition of Countries along the Belt and Road in Shougang Park on Friday (13/9). As reported by rri.co.id, this exhibition, organized by the Beijing Municipal Government, showcases various countries connected by China’s Belt and Road initiative.

The Counselor for Information, Social, and Cultural affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, Dewi Avilia, stated that this is Indonesia’s second participation in the International Exhibition post-Covid-19 pandemic. Indonesia’s participation aimed to raise Chinese awareness of Indonesian tourism, especially the Wonderful Indonesia program.

In The Ninth Colorful World-Cultural Exhibition of Countries along the Belt and Road, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing promoted five super-priority tourisms designed by the Indonesian Government. The five destinations are Borobudur in Central Java, Toba Lake in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.

In addition, the Indonesian Embassy also promoted various local products. One of the featured products is agarwood (kayu gaharu), an authentic Indonesian product that attracted visitors. Indonesian food and beverages also drew great interest. Dewi Avilia addedthat the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing even brought the sellers or vendors directly from Indonesia.

Despite thousands of visitors attending, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing hoped that public interest in Indonesian booths would continue to increase throughout the event. In the previous event, Indonesian booths attracted around 2.000 visitors for five days. Dewi Avilia hopes that this year, the visitors can exceed 2.000 people.

UArtes Gamelan Ensemble led by Dr. Andrey Astaiza showcased their original composition titled "OM", that combines gamelan traditional melody with a modern improvisation. That was stated in the written statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Quito on Monday (16/9).

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, said that the Jak-Japan Matsuri (JJM) 2024 festival, which was held on the 14th and 15th of September in Jakarta, reflects the friendship between the people of the two countries.

During the opening ceremony of Jak-Japan Matsuri (JJM) 2024 in Jakarta on Saturday evening (14/9), Ambassador Heri Akhmadi stated that the most important aspect of the friendship between two countries or nations is actually reflected by the friendship between the people of those countries.

According to Heri Akhmadi, the brotherly relationship between the people of Indonesia and Japan is key, and the Matsuri is a good way to get to know, appreciate, and respect fellow brothers. He added that a similar event, Matsuri Indonesia 2024, will also be held by the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo on the 17th and 18th of October.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi, said that this year's JJM became one of the symbols of friendship and cultural exchange between Japan and Indonesia. Ambassador Yasushi explained that JJM 2024 carries the theme ‘Exploring Japan,’ which presents various booths that showcase unique and distinctive products, culinary delights, and culture from various regions in Japan, such as Aichi Prefecture and Fukuoka.

The annual event, which was first held in Jakarta in 2009, serves as a platform for Indonesians and Japanese to deepen their bonds and foster the friendship between the two countries.

Jak-Japan Matsuri features Japanese and Indonesian cultural arts, such as the Mikoshi Parade. Mikoshi, meaning the house of god, is paraded on the shoulders of dozens of people and is usually performed at certain festivals or during the summer. There are also performances from Indonesian artists like JKT48 and Fatin, as well as Japanese performers like Jam Heads, Batten Girls, and DXTEEN.

The angklung art and Mikoshi parade attracted a lot of attention at the event, which also provided a consultation area for those interested in working in Japan.