In Cold Paris, President Prabowo's Presence Warm the Hearts of Indonesian Citizens

PARIS - In the morning in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the city's air still feels cold. However, in a corner of a hotel where President Prabowo Subianto stayed during his official visit to France, the atmosphere was warm and noisy. Hundreds of Indonesian Citizens (WNI) have gathered since early morning. Their faces do not imply fatigue, but rather a suppressed enthusiasm.

For those who live thousands of kilometers from their hometowns, the arrival of a Head of State is not just a visit by an ordinary official. This is the moment of the presence of "home" in the land of the region.

Among the crowd, Ruth stood. This woman from Blitar, East Java, has been living in France for 23 years. More than two decades of living in a foreign country did not dilute her love for her homeland. That day, for the first time in her life, Ruth was able to meet the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

When President Prabowo walked closer and greeted the residents, Ruth's face turned sad.

"I am very grateful to him, Mr. Prabowo has taken the time to meet with Indonesian citizens here. Even though it was just a handshake, I was very touched. I feel very honored to meet him," said Ruth with a trembling voice, holding back her happiness.

Smiling, he inserted a prayer and a warm greeting, "Bienvenue, Bapak Presiden Prabowo Subianto."

When the Distance Becomes Close

Not only the senior generation like Ruth who felt the magnet of the President's presence. On the other hand, a group of young people gathered with their thick jackets. They are Reval, Evelyn, and Syeril - Indonesian students who are studying in France.

For students in the region, meeting the number one person in Indonesia is a luxury they never expected before.

"His feelings are very proud and happy to meet the President in person. Moreover, as a student in France, this is an opportunity that not everyone can get," said Reval proudly.

The rigid atmosphere of state protocol immediately melted when President Prabowo took the time to approach them. Like a father who visits his children who are traveling, the President invites them to have a casual conversation. He asked what their fields of study were, the level of education they were pursuing, and did not forget to give them advice so that they could study hard for the future of the nation.

This spontaneous humanist approach left a deep impression on Evelyn.

"Thank you to the President for taking the time to discuss with us, even though we are only students. That is not an approach that we can get every day. We are very proud," said Evelyn.

Hope for the Future from the City of Paris

This brief meeting not only left a smile, but also new hope. Syeril, one of the students, felt how good the bilateral relationship between Jakarta and Paris had made their way easier while studying in France.

He hopes that this official state visit will open wider doors of opportunity, not only for academic affairs, but also cultural diplomacy.

"Thank you to the President for having a very good relationship with France. As students, we feel the benefits here. Hopefully in the future we can spread more about Indonesian culture to the whole world," said Syeril.

That day in Paris, the brief meeting turned into a sense of bonding. Under the French sky, the handshake, short chat, and sincere smile from President Prabowo managed to bring back the aroma of the homeland. This meeting confirmed one important thing for the diaspora there: no matter how far they go, they never walk alone, and they remain an integral part of Indonesia.