ASEAN Anniversary, 1,500 People Enliven The 'ASEAN+3 Bazaar' In Mexico City

Opening of 'ASEAN+3 Bazaar' in Mexico City, Mexico. (Source: Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Around 1,500 people filled the Teatro Angela Peralta, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico last weekend, to enjoy and enliven the 'ASEAN+3 Bazaar' which was initiated by the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City, as chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Mexico City ( ACMC), and was followed by the embassies of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partners (China, Japan and South Korea) in Mexico.

The bazaar was held to commemorate the 55th anniversary of ASEAN on August 8, 2022. The activity started at 11 am and was opened by the Mayor of Miguel Hidalgo, Mauricio Tabe, and the Indonesian Ambassador in Mexico City.

"There are similarities between ASEAN member countries and Mexico in terms of cultural diversity, which can be a source of ASEAN's closeness to Mexico," said Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Mexico Cheppy T. Wartono, in a statement by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday, August 11.

"This activity aims to introduce ASEAN+3, promote friendship and mutual understanding with the Mexican people," he continued.

The 'ASEAN+3 Bazaar' features dance, music and martial arts performances from ASEAN member countries and partners. The performance was also interspersed with door prizes with various attractive prizes.

At the same time, embassies of ASEAN member countries and partner countries also opened food and handicraft outlets. The visitors seemed enthusiastic to enjoy the cultural performances and the food provided. Even the visitors persisted, even though the bazaar was colored by light rain.

The cultural performance was opened with the Bajidor Kahot dance from Karawang, West Java, Indonesia. In addition, Indonesia also performed the Joged Pingitan dance from Bali, the Betawi Tan Hana Darmawangsa dance and modern dance.

Meanwhile, other embassies performed various dances, music, and martial arts which managed to entertain the thousands of spectators who attended. Indonesian food sold at the event included Balinese rice, satay, fried rice, rice cake, meatballs, dumplings, batagor, roll pancakes, nagasari, sweet potato trays and es cendol.

It is known that the ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) is a forum for joint activities carried out by the Embassies of ASEAN member countries in Mexico City consisting of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The chairmanship of ACMC is held in rotation by each embassy for 6 months, with Indonesia holding the chairmanship for the period July – December 2022.