Clad in batik attire, Halida received a warm applause from everyone in attendance, including officials, students and businessmen, at the Saint Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry office, where an Indonesian delegation met with Belarus officials as part of their visit to Russia and Belarus from September 15 to 22.
Halida has also performed at the Moscow State University, Belarus State University and at several other meetings between Indonesian officials and their Belarus counterparts.
"The warm applause I received reflects the success of the Indonesian diplomacy with regard to arts and culture," Halida remarked.
The show is a means to introduce Indonesian cultural values to the international community and promote these so that they gain knowledge about Indonesia, she said.
"When I play the violin, I always wear batik and sing typical Indonesian songs such as the Bengawan Solo, Rayuan Pulau Kelapa and Halo-halo Bandung," she added.
Halidas performance at the Moscow State University was aimed at ensuring the success of the Indonesian governments mission to promote Track II diplomacy.
"We as performers also carry out Track II diplomacy through our work. For example, I have painted this violin with batik of short machete motifs. I am wearing batik as well," she stated.
The Indonesian delegation to Russia and Belarus was led by Director General of Public Information and Communication of the Communication and Informatics Ministry, Freddy H Tulung.
"It is now time for Indonesia to promote Track II diplomacy, besides the formal diplomacy undertaken by the Foreign Affairs Ministry," Tulung noted.
Reporting by Bambang Purwanto
EDITED BY INE
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
