Wearing An African Traditional Headband, Jokowi Attends Mozambique Cultural Festival

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo was seen wearing a traditional African headband while attending the opening of the 2023 Mozambique National Cultural Festival.

President Jokowi was present to fulfill the invitation of the President of the Republic of Mozambique to Nyusi at the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Cultural Festival or the "National Festival of Culture" Mozambique which was held at the Red Bulls Association Field, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, Wednesday, August 23.

Arriving at around 08.45 local time or 13.45 WIB, President Jokowi wearing long-sleeved batik clothes was greeted by the President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi.

The two leaders of the country then walked together to the stage of honor. President Jokowi and President Nyusi also look compact wearing traditional African headbands.

Arriving at the honorary stage, the national anthem of the two countries was sung, then the cultural parade began.

Representatives from 11 provinces in Mozambique wearing their traditional clothes alternately passed before the two heads of state.

After the parade was over, the event continued with a colossal dance performance followed by a dance performance for each province.

The two leaders seemed to enjoy every appearance of the art event which is routinely held every year in Mozambique.

To note, the festival is an annual art event organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Mozambique Government and is attended by around 1,500 artists from all over Mozambique.

The festival showed various arts, such as handicrafts, music, films, dances, photography, gastronomi, and other cultural arts.

As reported by ANTARA, President Jokowi is scheduled to visit the Office of President of the Republic of Mozambique, Maputo, to hold bilateral meetings between the two countries that will discuss bilateral cooperation in several fields.

Also accompanying President Jokowi, namely Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique and Malawi Herry Sudrajat.

Also present were Mozambique Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldevina Maturula, State Secretary Judite Musaculla, and Provincial Governor Maputo Julio Parruque.