TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Some 135,000 Russian people visited Indonesia Festival organized by Indonesian Embassy to Russia. The festival that was held for the third time with the theme `Visit Wonderful Indonesia: Explore Our Regions` took place on August 3-5, in Moscow.
Supported by Foreign Affairs Ministry, Trade Ministry, and Moscow government and others, the festival presented various products of Indonesia such as coffee, clothes, accessories, palm oil, traditional culinary, and handcrafts in 85 of the total 100 booths.
Many performances such as wayang show, gamelan, kolintang, and other traditional music as well as traditional dances and fashion shows by Indonesian designers were set to enliven the festival. Visitors also felt the tropical weather of Indonesia as the temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celcius on average.
The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro in his opening speech said Indonesia Festival would tighten the ties between both countries. Russian, particularly in Moscow, would experience Indonesian cultures, tourism, and products that would spark their interest to visit the archipelago.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of Foreign Economic Activity and International Relations Department of Moscow, Ilya Kuzmin, delivered high appreciation from Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin for the establishment of the festival. In his speech, Kuzmin lauded the Indonesian Embassy as the most active office in Russia and he pledged to support another festival next year.
According to Indonesian Ambassador in Russia and the Belarus Republic, M. Wahid Supriyadi, the festival was aimed at tightening the relationship between Indonesia and Russia, especially in trade, tourism, as well as art and culture sector.
“I greatly appreciate all parties who support this annual festival of Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. Hopefully, the upcoming festival will be better with the synergy and assist from related stakeholders in Indonesia, either central or regional government or business actors,” said Wahid Supriyadi.
The third ‘Festival Indonesia’ took place at the 16.5 hectare Krasnaya Presnya Park, Moscow, Russia. The first festival was held back in August of 2016 at Hermitage Garden and was able to attract 68,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the second event on August of 2017 attracted roughly over 91,000 visitors throughout its three-day event.
Dewi Elvia M
