The Indonesian Consulate General In Sydney Holds Christmas Celebration, Consul General Vedi Expects The Indonesian Diaspora To Maintain Harmony And Contribute To The World

Consul General Vedi during the 2024 Christmas celebration at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney. (Source: Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney)

JAKARTA - Consul General Vedi Kurnia Buana hopes that the Indonesian diaspora in Sydney, Australia will continue to maintain harmony and contribute to world peace and inclusiveness, when the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney holds a Christmas celebration on Friday.

The celebration titled 'Jingle and Mingle' was held at Wisma Indonesia which was attended by around 250 invitations, including community leaders, religious leaders, students, professionals, communities to Indonesian diaspora from various backgrounds.

In his remarks, Consul General Vedi delivered a Christmas 2024 message with the theme "Let us now go to Bethlehem" which reflects the invitation to strengthen solidarity, strengthen human relations, and present optimism in facing global challenges.

"Christmas is not just a celebration, but also the right time to reflect on the deep meaning of togetherness and love. I hope that the Indonesian diaspora community in Sydney can continue to maintain harmony, respect each other and contribute to creating a more peaceful and inclusive world," said Consul General Vedi, in a statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, as quoted December 29.

Furthermore, Consul General Vedi highlighted the importance of pluralism as a solid foundation in maintaining unity amidst differences.

"Pluralism is a wealth that we must care for. By respecting each other's beliefs, traditions, and culture, we can live side by side peacefully. This is a force that makes us stronger as a nation," he explained.

The message of harmony is also emphasized in the Christmas Reflection delivered by Father Agustinus Handoko, Chaplain of the Catholic Indonesian Community.

Father Handoko underlined that the spirit of Christmas is not only celebrated by Christians, but is a reflection moment for all, in order to strengthen humanitarian relations above differences.

"The spirit of Christmas is a spirit of love that goes beyond the limits of belief. This is the right time to remember, we are all part of a big family of humanity, where mutual understanding and cooperation are the keys to facing common challenges," said Father Handoko.

He also added that the harmony between religious believers is a very important foundation for a peaceful and advanced society.

"Tolerance is the basis for realizing a harmonious world. When we respect each other, we are building a brighter future for future generations," he added.

The 2024 Christmas Celebration of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney was enlivened by a vocal group performance from the Bonapasogit community and staff of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney and their family members.

This celebration moment was also filled with the socialization of the protection of Indonesian citizens by the Coordinator of Protocol and Consular Functions, reiterating the importance of self-reporting for Indonesian citizens living in Australia for more than 6 months.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney pampered the tongue of invited guests during the celebration by serving a variety of Indonesian special dishes, such as meatballs, fried noodles, fried rice, dumplings, cendol and various other traditional snacks.

Many guests appreciate the warm, harmonious, and inclusive atmosphere of the event. One of the Indonesian students who is currently studying in Sydney, expressed his happiness at attending this event.

"This event makes me feel at home. I feel very proud of the warmth and togetherness that have always existed between Indonesians, even abroad," he said.

Through this year's celebration of 'Jingle and Mingle', the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney hopes that this will be an inspiration for the Indonesian diaspora community around the world to continue to maintain good relations between each other, strengthen solidarity, and uphold the values of togetherness.

"With the spirit of Christmas, we are invited to move together, build hope and create a better world. I believe that the Indonesian diaspora, wherever they are, have an important role in in introducing Indonesia's noble values to the world," explained Consul General Vedi.

At the end of the event, Consul General Vedi and Father Agustinus Handoko also invited all attendees to commemorate the Aceh tsunami incident that occurred on December 26, 2004.

"Today, we remember the tragedy that has changed many lives. Let us pray for the victims and their bereaved families, as well as provide support to those who are still in the process of recovery. The spirit of togetherness that we celebrate here is also a reminder of the importance of mutual support, especially in challenging times," said Father Agustinus Handoko.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney is committed to continuing to support activities that strengthen the Indonesian diaspora community, maintain cultural identity and strengthen international relations through harmonious togetherness. With the spirit of Christmas, let's continue to build hope for a brighter, peaceful and loving future.