Indonesia to Promote Cultural Diplomacy at Europalia Festival

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia will conduct cultural diplomacy at Europalia, Europe largest art and cultural festival to be held from October 10, 2017, to January 21, 2018.

"This event will offer room for cultural diplomacy and serve as a promotional space for creative industries in the field of art and culture," Idham Setiyadi from the Europalia Scientific Committee stated on Tuesday.

Indonesia will showcase traditional and contemporary culture of the 400 best artists ranging from fields, such as painting, music, installation, film, and dance. They will feature the diversity of Indonesian art and culture.

They will also present more than 226 works and programs to be enjoyed by art lovers in various cities in Belgium and its surrounding areas.

Also on the agenda are some exhibitions, including the Ancestor and Archipel.

The Ancestor exhibition will feature the diverse ways in which Indonesians venerate their ancestors.

The Archipel exhibition will showcase the maritime culture of Indonesia that has existed since thousands of years.

Setiyadi said the Europalia International views Indonesia as being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country that deserves the attention of European society.

The Europalia International is optimistic that the participation of Indonesians in the festival would strengthen relations between Indonesia and the European countries and also enhance mutual understanding among the people.

Hence, the 2017 Europalia, in which Indonesia will be the only guest nation, is expected to offer double benefits in the fields of economy, social affairs, and culture.

ANTARA | AUBREY KANDELILA FANANI