TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For the first time ever, a photography exhibition portraying an interfaith harmony in Indonesia was held at the European Parliament building starting from February 10 until 14, 2014. As many as 31 photos by French photographer Thierry Monasse and Stanislaw Roman Konopka from Poland were exhibited in an event entitled 'Portrait of Indonesia: Bhineka Tunggal Ika' (Unity in Diversity).
The photos were taken during a visit to Yogyakarta and several cities in Central Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and North Sulawesi on November 2013 by the two photographers.
"People of European Union should see Indonesia as a role model in managing diversity," said Dr. Jan Olbrycht, MEP, a European Parliament member and Vice President of the biggest political organization in the parliament, European People's Party (EPP) during his opening speech. Olbrycht also said that the EPP will continue to cooperate with Indonesia to promote the values of tolerance, respect and understanding between people in Indonesia and in the European Union.
Arif Havas Oegroseno, Indonesia's ambassador in Brussels, did not deny that there are some issues which had happened in Indonesia recently. "However, with the value of tolerance that have been grown deep inside Indonesian people, Indonesia believes that the problems its facing won't be able to draw Indonesia into an undemocratic life," said Havas.
Thierry said that his visit to Indonesia has a large influence in his vision on how interaction should be done in an interfaith daily life. The displayed photos include ones that portrays Sunan Kudus Mosque in Central Java, a Catholic Priest who teaches Muslim pupils at Walisongo Islamic Boarding School in Ende, and many more.
The photos are planned to be exhibited along the year 2014 in various institution in Belgium and European Union Institutions in Brussels. Next exhibition will be at Brussels Press Club on February 24 until 28. The exhibition is held in collaboration with ENAR (European Network Against racism), a nonprofit organizations that fights discrimination and racism in Europe, especially those often happen to Muslims, Rome (Gipsy), Africa, Jews, and other immigrants.
NATALIA SANTI
