Appearing At The Embassy Festival Of The Hague, Indonesian Typical Culinary Laris Visitors

Photo: Doc. Indonesian Embassy in the Hague

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands, is promoting a variety of typical Indonesian culinary delights at the 2022 Embassy Festival which will be held again without restrictions on the number of visitors after it was abolished due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival was held on Saturday, September 3 in the Lange Voorhut area located in the center of the city of The Hague, according to a written statement quoted by Antara, Sunday, September 11.

The carnival tents of various colors and the aroma of cuisine from abroad invite tens of thousands of residents to packed the festival area.

Chicken and tempeh satay were raided by visitors until the queue snaked in front of the Indonesian Pavilion, according to the Indonesian Embassy.

In addition to satay and tempeh, Indonesian specialties such as rendang, pandan cakes, eggs, fried rice and fried noodles are also selling well, said the Indonesian Embassy.

"As a person who has lived in the Netherlands for decades, Indonesian cuisine is very familiar, but this is my first time trying tempeh mendoan. This food will clearly enter my favorite menu," said a visitor to the Indonesian Pavilion from Bulgaria.

Di Creative Arena, the dynamic contemporary dance display of "World Indonesia" which combines various Nusantara dances by the Edi de Danser group was greeted with the standing ovation of the visitors who filled the stage area that afternoon, the Indonesian Embassy said in a statement.

"It's amazing, making us hold our breath because of the beauty (dance movement). Indonesian culture and Indonesian scenery both make me always longing to visit Indonesia again," said Ammar, a visitor from Suriname who was present to watch the show.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands Mayerfas stated that the participation of the Indonesian Embassy in the Hague at the festival was one of the diplomatic efforts through Indonesian culinary and cultural activities carried out intensively and sustainably after the COVID-19 restrictions in the Netherlands were lifted.

Embassy Festival this time is special for many residents in the Netherlands. They have been waiting a long time to be able to feel the warm atmosphere and excitement of friendly countries at this festival. The Indonesian Embassy is also back at this festival as a cure for longing for visitors who are no stranger to Indonesian food and culture," said Mayerfas.

Indonesia together with four other ASEAN national representatives in the Netherlands, namely Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, are working together to establish the ASEAN Village at the Embassy Festival this time.

The effort was made to provide information and raise awareness about ASEAN.