Jakarta, IO – The European Union Embassy held a cultural exhibition encompassing a number of its member countries in the ‘Europe Town Square Festival’ at Gelora Bung Karno sports complex, Saturday (6/5) as part of the Europe Day celebration.
It also served as cultural diplomacy by introducing various types of games, culture, and Eropean delicacies. For example, Dutch Embassy booth displayed a medieval wooden board game called Sjoelen.
“This game is often played at gatherings in the Netherlands such as during the recent King’s Day where all the residents gathered on the streets,” Dutch Embassy communication officer Ardita told the Independent Observer.
The Belgian Embassy’s booth displayed installations based on cartoon characters.
“Besides being famous for its chocolate, Belgium is also known for its cartoons. The popular ones being The Smurfs, The Adventures of Tintin, Marsupilami,” said Dutch Embassy trade assistant Grace.
European Union Ambassador Vincent Piket said through the festival EU wished to strengthen people-to-people relationship, especially with Jakarta residents by introducing the diversity of culture, food and music from EU member states.
“Europe is a diverse country. Indonesia is also very diverse in terms of culture, language and religion. This is a relationship that we have in common with Indonesia,” said Vincent.
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Rafif, 25, one of visitors, visited the Denmark booth and said he was very impressed with the presentations by the Scandinavian country.
“They really know how to introduce the best aspects of their country,” he said. He also visited the Italian embassy booth and tried the traditional foods.
“It’s really very different from the ones made in Indonesia, even though the ingredients are probably the same,” he commented. (at/un)