IO, Jakarta – The Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta celebrates the 70th Anniversary of relations between the two nations at the National Gallery of Indonesia, Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, on Monday, February 3, 2020. The celebration was attended by ambassadors, embassy representatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, represented by the Acting Director General of America and Europe, Teuku Faizasyah.
The celebration was highlighted by an exhibition of paintings, photographs and other historical objects titled “Necklace of Equator”, presented to remind visitors of the bilateral relations that have existed between the two countries for 70 years. Dozens of paintings on display depict the beauty of nature and the people of Indonesia from the views of Russian artists painted in the past 20 years. The exhibition that displays 85 paintings by 10 prominent Russian artists, members of the Bureau of Creative Expeditions led by Vladimir Nikolaevich Anisimov, will be held on 3-17 February 2020.
Russian Ambassador to Indonesia HE Ms Lyudmila Vorobieva in her opening speech said that she was grateful that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Russia already marked 70 years and hoped that they would continue to improve and benefit both countries. “This exhibition is given the name ‘Necklace of Equator’ to describe Indonesia as a world gem,” said the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia further.
In addition to paintings, the “Necklace of Equator” also displays a number of photographs of the Republic of Indonesia’s National Archives (ANRI) collection and the Department of History and Documentary of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The photos featured included Prince Nikolay Alexandrovich’s visit to the Dutch East Indies in 1891, President Sukarno’s visit to Russia, to Russian Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev’s visit to Indonesia in 1960.
The Acting of the Director General of American and European Affairs of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE. Mr. Teuku Faizasyah said that the photo archive shows a flashback of the journey of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia. For 70 years, relations between the two countries saw ups and downs. However, there was always optimism to achieve agreements that would benefit both parties.
Teuku Firmansyah further said “Bilateral relations between Russia and Indonesia will enter a new phase at the end of this year by being upgraded to a strategic partnership,” he explained.
He added that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Jakarta deliberately chose the National Gallery as the location of the exhibition due to the consideration of the historical values of the construction of the National Gallery of Indonesia after President Soekarno decided on its construction after his first visit to Russia in 1956; he visited a number of art galleries when he was in Russia.
Answering the Independent Observer’s question about a series of events to commemorate 70 years of Russian-Indonesian diplomatic relations, Ambassador Vorobieva said that the “Necklace of Equator” exhibition is only one of a planned series. (OHW)