VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) The Hague organized the Eastern Indonesia Festival at De Broodfabriek, Rijswijk, the Netherlands on Saturday (2/12/2023), with a special theme of Eastern Indonesia.

"The East Indonesia Festival is intended to provide a place for our brothers and sisters from the East Indonesian diaspora community to meet each other, stay in touch, share and also show their traditions and potential, be it traditional arts, food, and cultural values," Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mayerfas said in an official statement received by Jakarta here on Monday (4/12/2023).

Ambassador Mayerfas explained that through this festival, the diaspora scattered in the Netherlands could gather and show the potential of Indonesia. "Those who live scattered in various regions in the Netherlands can gather together, reunite, and more importantly preserve culture and traditions among the younger generation," he said.

Ambassador Mayerfas also said that Eastern Indonesian communities, such as Maluku, Manado, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua are the largest Indonesian diaspora groups in the Netherlands and are assets that must be optimized.

"Their active involvement is important in supporting promotion and strengthening Indonesia's positive image," he said.

The 2023 East Indonesia Festival presented a variety of art performances such as typical dances of the Tanimbar Islands by the Lima Diti group, various dances from Maluku by Maropi Perowano and the Bina Budaya Moar - Holland Group.

There was also Sasando music by Amor Frans and Maureen Dumais, tifa music by Culturegroup Tifa Bunji, traditional fashion show of Malacca, Belu, Manggarai, Maumere, and Nagekeo by Bintang Timur.

In addition, the festival also features a bazaar of food, drinks, and UMKM products.