Menbud: IHA Becomes The Front Guard Of Indonesian Diplomacy In Europe

"AMSTERDAM - Indonesia House Amsterdam (IHA), a strategic asset belonging to the Government of Indonesia located in the city center of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is the vanguard of Indonesian diplomacy in Europe," said Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon.

"IHA has great potential as a multifunctional platform, as a cultural storefront, diaspora network node, a cross-cultural dialogue forum, and a liaison for Indonesia's economic diplomacy in the European region," Fadli Zon said in a press release from the Ministry of Culture, Saturday.

Fadli highlighted the great potential of the facility as a promotional space and strategic node for cultural diplomacy in Europe, where IHA was designed to facilitate meetings with foreign partners and the Indonesian diaspora community.

He explained that the Ministry of Culture will activate Indonesian Cultural Houses in IHA with various programs, including temporary exhibitions, provision of literacy for various literary products and children's stories in Dutch, sending art maestros from various disciplines, and organizing interculture interaction forums.

Accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mayerfas, Fadli reviewed the IHA facility and saw firsthand the exhibition spaces, auditoriums, and multifunctional areas that have been used for the promotion of culture, culinary, mode, and creative economy dialogue.

The government officially reopened IHA on September 17, 2024, after going through a renovation process for about two years, and turning the building of the former Indonesian Consulate General into a strategic center to promote arts, culture and creative economy, as well as public diplomacy with the international community and diaspora.

Fadli assessed that the presence of IHA supports strengthening Indonesia-Netherlands relations, including cooperation with cultural institutions and educational institutions in Europe.

"I believe IHA can be an important bridge in strengthening relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands in the future," said Fadli.

Fadli emphasized the importance of making IHA a "living and dynamic cultural laboratory" that not only displays cultural heritage but also becomes space for innovation, young talent, and cross-sectoral diplomacy.

The visit of Culture Minister Fadli Zon to IHA is part of his work visit to the Netherlands and Poland, which aims to strengthen cultural cooperation and expand Indonesia's cultural diplomacy network in Europe.