JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon received a courtesy call from a delegation from the Republic of Belarus at the National Museum of Indonesia on Wednesday, August 6. The delegation was led by Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, accompanied by Director General of Asia-Africa Affairs Evgeny Verobyev and Belarusian Ambassador to Indonesia Raman Ramanouski.
The meeting was cordial. Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of cultural exchange as a foundation for bilateral relations. "Our traditions are very rich. This is a great opportunity for equal and mutually beneficial cultural collaboration," he said.
One of the main agenda items was the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation signed in 2015. Fadli Zon hopes the new document can be signed during the Belarusian President's state visit to Indonesia later this year, and will be linked to joint cultural events.
Foreign Minister Ryzhenkov expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and the richness of Indonesian history displayed at the National Museum. "We are honored to be here," he said, while welcoming opportunities for more concrete cultural cooperation, including people-to-people exchanges.
During the luncheon, Fadli Zon proposed a reciprocal Days of Culture program. This idea drew on the success of Indonesian Cinema Day in Minsk in 2021. The series of activities included film screenings, performing arts, traditional culinary delights, and cultural exhibitions.
Fadli also invited the Belarusian delegation to attend the CHANDI Summit: Culture for the Future, which will be held September 3–5 in Bali. "Cultural diplomacy touches the human side. It unites, not divides," said Fadli, who attended with Deputy Minister Giring Ganesha and Director General Endah T.D. Retnoastuti.
The discussion began with a tour of the National Museum's collections. The Belarusian delegation was captivated by the stories of Indonesian civilization, from Hindu-Buddhist relics to ethnography.
Also present at the meeting, accompanying Fadli Zon, were Special Staff to the Minister of Culture Ismunandar, Film Director Syaifullah Agam, Director of Europe II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Winardi Hanafy Lucky, and Museum Director Abi Kusno.
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