Welcome to Indonesia. I am happy to welcome you on the island of BaliNusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo held a meeting with spouses of the G20 leaders and those of international institutions as part of the G20 Summit series at Sofitel Bali, Nusa Dua Beach Resort, Tuesday.
During the meeting Iriana dressed in Indonesian attire combined with Balinese woven fabrics, greeted and shook hands with the spouses of state leaders that had reached the arrival lobby.
"Welcome to Indonesia. I am happy to welcome you on the island of Bali," Iriana Joko Widodo noted in her remarks at the event.
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Spouses to the country's leaders arrived in succession at the arrival lobby at around 9:00 local time, starting with the spouse to Spanish President Maria Begona Gomez Fernandez, spouse of Turkish President Emine Erdogan, spouse of Japanese Prime Minister Yuko Kishida, spouse to President of the European Commission Heiko von der Leyen, spouse to President of the Republic of Korea Kim Keon-hee, and spouse to Chinese President Peng Liyuan.
After being greeted by Iriana, the country leaders' companions then headed to the waiting room that had been provided.
In the waiting room, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Herliani Tanoesoedibjo and Expert Staff for Social Culture and Empowerment of Indonesian Communities Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Siti Nugraha Mauludiah accompanied the country's spouses to witness demonstrations of palm leaf, batik, and weaving crafts.
The First Lady affirmed that during the meeting, the spouses were invited to witness up-close and experience various types of Indonesian local wisdom, ranging from handicrafts to Indonesian specialties.
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She also spoke about one of the traditional musical instruments that was displayed to welcome the spouses at the venue.
"This instrument called gamelan is an instrument made of environmentally friendly bamboo. The harmonious strains of this sound can bring us together, as if we are one with nature and produce harmony. This harmony is the life of Indonesian people, who are harmonious and tolerant amidst differences," she explained.
The First Lady expressed optimism that the spouses of the country's leaders would have an enjoyable time in Bali and would extend their visit to Indonesia.
"I am sure you will fall in love with Indonesia and Bali," she affirmed.
The First Lady then invited the spouses to Sofitel Bali's backyard to see various culture-based activities from several regions in the country, such as Mama Noken, gamelan music, Balinese Rindik music, Gondang Batak music, Merak dance, Tor-tor dance, and also the children playing the game of snakes and ladders.
In addition, the spouses to state leaders were invited to witness an exhibition of woven products and several micro, small and medium enterprises' (MSMEs') products from various regions in Indonesia. The meeting concluded with a luncheon.
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Translator: Rangga P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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