"We are grateful to be invited to celebrate Irish cultural heritage events like St. Patrick's Day. This is more than just a celebration. It is a reminder that identity is shaped not only by our origins but also by the values we uphold," he said in a press release issued here on Thursday.
This proves that the bonds between Indonesia and Ireland are so strong that they go beyond diplomatic duties and can lead to future collaborations, he added.
The bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Ireland, established in 1984, is crucial for the growth of the creative economy in Indonesia, he said.
He further said he believes that Indonesia and Ireland can explore partnerships in the production of music that blends traditional and modern elements.
Such collaboration could take place through festivals, musician exchanges, and training initiatives in digital music distribution, music rights management, and cross-border production techniques.
"Although Indonesia and Ireland have different cultures, our creative industries speak the same language. For example, in music, we recently celebrated National Music Day, which highlights the strength and great potential of the Indonesian music industry," he said.
He also noted that Ireland has legendary musicians such as U2, Westlife, The Cranberries, The Corrs, and so on.
Minister Harsya described creativity and culture as forms of resilience to maintain unity and hope in a nation.
Meanwhile, the Irish Ambassador to Indonesia, Padraig Francis, welcomed Harsya's request to enhance international relations not only through celebrations but also by holding global music festivals.
He said that Ireland will continue to work with Indonesia to create better global unity through music and cultural development.
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Translator: Fitra, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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