Collaborating With Six Art Studios, The 2021 BSBI Program Is Held Virtually

Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah at the opening of the Virtual 2021 BSBI Program. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again held the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship Program (BSBI).

Different from usual, this 2021 BSBI Program will be held virtually, considering that the pandemic is still ongoing. Nevertheless, the values ​​and objectives of the BSBI implementation remain the same.

The opening of the Virtual 2021 BSBI Program was carried out by the Director-General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, in a hybrid manner, with the implementation of strict health protocols for invitees on Friday, September 24.

"The BSBI Virtual 2021 program will be attended by 47 youths and women from 21 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, Europe, and Africa. The participants will receive training in Indonesian arts and culture in the form of dances, folk songs, and crafts. The training will be given from September 25 until November 14, 2021, virtually with two meetings every week," explained Teuku Faizasyah in a virtual press statement.

To support the successful implementation of the BSBI this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed six art studios to become training instructors, including; Sofyani Dance and Music Studio (Padang ); Gubang Art Community (Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara); Kazaki Art School (Makassar); Semarandana Art Studio (Bali); Jenggirate Blambangan Studio (Banyuwangi) and Kinanti Sekar Studio (Yogyakarta).

Opening of Virtual BSBI in 2021. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Since 2003, Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarships have been awarded to 920 participants from 77 countries. During its implementation, BSBI has succeeded in creating an international community that loves Indonesian arts and culture.

In 2020, BSBI cannot be held as a result of the pandemic. Instead, in 2020 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held various events related to BSBI.

"By utilizing technology, during this pandemic, we can also continue to promote one of the national soft power assets, namely Indonesian arts and culture. One of them is through the implementation of this virtual BSBI," said Teuku Faizasyah.

He added that this program is also a form of appreciation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which aims to maintain the presence of art workers who are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To note, the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (BSBI) is one of the soft power programs of the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), which is aimed at building people to people contact, the interaction between communities, especially international and national (Indonesian) youth through the media art and culture.

The BSBI program is oriented towards efforts to build a positive image of Indonesia, introduce, promote and foster love for Indonesia. The program is intended to produce friends of Indonesia, ambassadors of Indonesia and build a network of Indonesianists.