Australian Embassy: New exhibition at w Museum Nasional: Two Nations – A friendship is born

IO, Jakarta – Australia’s diversity and creativity will be celebrated throughout 2019-20 with new campaigns throughout Indonesia.  For the Greater Jakarta area, the Australian Embassy in Indonesia the event is scheduled for the National Museum, from 14 November to 14 December 2019.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan launched “Australia Connect”, a series of interesting programs that will showcase Australia’s rapidly-growing creative sectors through music, film, food and art.

Australia Connect will deepen cultural ties between Australia and Indonesia, highlighting the rich history and culture of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, as well as Australia’s multiculturalism and diversity.

“We hope that through this campaign, there will be more Indonesians who can connect with Australian culture and creative talent,” Ambassador Quinlan said at the launch event held at the National Museum.

“Australia Connect will include performances by Dan Sultan, a singer and songwriter who is an Indigenous Australian; our annual event is the Australia Indonesia Cinema Festival and the Taste of Australia culinary festival; as well as various other events.”

Australia Connect was launched at the opening of a new exhibition at the national museum: Two Nations: a Friendship is Born, which is curated by the Australian National Maritime Museum.

This exhibition tells of Australia’s support for Indonesian independence.

“27 December 2019 is the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Indonesia, but our support for the formation of the Republic of Indonesia comes before official recognition of Indonesian sovereignty,” Ambassador Quinlan said.

Following the declaration of Indonesian independence, Australia represented Indonesia, lobbying in the newly-formed United Nations Security Council (UN), and was then chosen by Indonesia to represent it in the UN negotiations which ultimately led to independence.  There was also strong support from the Australian public for Indonesian independence.

“Today, this part of our history together is unfortunately not widely known in Australia or Indonesia.  I hope that through this exhibition we can be reminded of the inspirational beginnings of our relationship as neighbors whose future is deeply bound to one another,” Ambassador Quinlan said.

Two Nations: A Friendship is Born, open to the public at the Indonesian National Museum until 14 December.  The exhibition will also be held in Surabaya, Makassar and Denpasar. (OHW)