Since the easing of COVID-19 rules in July 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in London has held five events to promote Indonesian culture and arts in the UK, which were held in Surrey, Bristol, London, Oxford, and ColchesterJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Embassy in London has promoted Nusantara (archipelago) arts and culture to make Indonesia more renowned in several regions in the UK.
"Indonesia should be renowned across the UK. Efforts to promote Indonesian culture, culinary specialities, and arts must be intensive and spread beyond major UK cities," Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, Desra Percaya, noted in the Indonesian Embassy’s statement received here on Monday.
Ambassador Percaya's remarks were made at the Rice and Spice Festival in Colchester, Essex.
At the festival, the embassy along with the Indonesian diaspora, who are members of The Indonesian Women Lovers of Culture, presented a platform showcasing Nusantara.
The festival featured Indonesian cuisines, traditional clothing, and angklung (Indonesian traditional musical instrument) plays.
Indonesian arts and culture were also showcased at the festival through the Gantar dance of the Dayak tribe, angklung music performances, and lemper-making demos (Indonesian snack).
According to Percaya, attendees at the festival in Colchester City reached over 1,200 and had several strategic aspects.
Firstly, he noted that it was the first multi-cultural festival organized in the Essex region after the easing of COVID-19 restriction rules in the UK.
Secondly, he noted that over 12 communities and countries attended the exhibition, so the Rice and Spice Festival became the pertinent event to bolster mutual understanding among different cultures.
The third vital aspect highlighted by Percaya was that activities to showcase Indonesian arts and culture were an initiative by the Indonesian women's diaspora in Colchester.
"Although they have lived abroad for decades, their Red and White soul and spirit to promote Indonesia have never dampened," he remarked.
He emphasized that the promotion of arts and culture was the key to intensifying relations between the people of the UK and Indonesia.
The Rice and Spice Festival was supported by the local authorities, police, and the tourist community in Essex.
Colchester is a multi-cultural city located in the southeast of England and 110 kilometers from London. There are some 50 Indonesians living in the city.
Since the easing of COVID-19 rules in July 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in London has held five events in Surrey, Bristol, London, Oxford, and Colchester to promote Indonesian culture and arts in the UK.
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Translator: Yuni S, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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