JAKARTA - The Ukrainian Orthodox Church awarded the Saint Nicholas Award Star to Arief Muhammad Basalamah, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Ukraine. This award was given for a real contribution to strengthening Indonesian-Ukrainian diplomatic relations through a humanitarian approach and cross-cultural dialogue.
The ecclesiastical award was presented at a simple ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) Kyiv, Tuesday (30/12). The handover was made by Oleksandr Kondratenko, founder of Kyiv Diplomatic Magazine, representing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate and Patriarch Filaret.
Kondratenko emphasized that the Star of Saint Nicholas was given to a figure who was considered to have contributed to advancing spiritual values, humanity, and social welfare. The award is also often awarded to foreign civil and diplomatic figures who play a role in strengthening dialogue and friendship between nations.
"This award confirms that diplomacy is not only about relations between countries, but also about humanity, cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue, and efforts to build peace in the midst of global challenges," Kondratenko said in a written statement received by VOI on December 31.
Saint Nicholas is an important figure in the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, known for his generosity and concern for the vulnerable. In Ukraine, Saint Nicholas is celebrated every December 6, unlike the Russian Orthodox tradition.
Responding to the award, Ambassador Arief Muhammad Basalamah stated that Indonesian diplomacy is not only carried out through formal meetings and official documents. According to him, trust, cultural understanding, and inter-community relations are the main foundations of sustainable international relations.
He also conveyed his appreciation for the resilience and dignity of the Ukrainian people, which he considered in line with Indonesia's commitment to tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
This award reflects Indonesia's diplomatic approach which places interreligious dialogue as part of soft diplomacy. In line with this, the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv continues to encourage concrete cooperation between Indonesia and Ukraine, including in the field of higher education.
Most recently, the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv has facilitated cooperation between Universitas Dian Nusantara, Jakarta, and the National Academy of Culture and Arts Management in Kyiv. The cooperation has been signed and includes the exchange of teachers, writing scientific journals, and developing academic collaboration.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
