ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON – WOW Indonesia! The largest Indonesian festival in the United States (US) was successfully held in front of Capitol Hill, the United States Congress building in Washington, D.C, on Sunday, August 25 2024.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi specifically attended and opened the activity. This event was also attended by the Minister of Cooperatives and Indonesian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Teten Masduki, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Filianingsih Hendarta, representatives of the US government, Ambassadors of friendly countries, officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as activists US culture.
WOW Indonesia! is the largest Indonesian cultural performance ever held by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, DC.
In front of more than 20,000 US citizens who packed Pennsylvania Avenue, a main road in the middle of Washington, DC, Minister Retno said that this initiative was part of the peak celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the US and a form of Indonesia’s commitment to improving people-to-people relations. people contact between the two countries.
“Even though they are geographically separated by a large distance, Indonesia and the US have many similarities, including societal diversity, tolerance, democracy and commitment to human rights and the rule of law. “Indonesia and the US need to further strengthen friendship, so that there will be more cooperation that is mutually beneficial and contributes to world peace and stability,” said Retno.
Ambassador Marcia Bernicat from the US Department of State, who attended on behalf of the US Government, underscored the close friendship that the two countries have strongly forged.
“The Indonesian-US diaspora is one of the fastest growing diaspora communities in the US. “I really appreciate the positive contribution of the Indonesian diaspora which not only enriches diversity in the US, but also strengthens relations between the people of the two countries,” he stressed.
During the Indonesian Festival, visitors were pampered with the charm of Indonesian cultural treasures which were presented beautifully, starting from performances by Indonesian pop musicians, cultural literature fashion shows, dances, gamelan performances to cultural parades by the Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC) which is quite well known in the world. international world as well as Reog Ponorogo attractions.
Not only that, visitors are also invited to explore Indonesia’s culinary riches through cooking demonstrations and typical Indonesian food stands, ranging from rendang, satay, gado-gado, to Jogja gudeg.
A number of visitors appreciated this event. Alex Wintraub, for example, a US citizen from the DMV, admitted that he was lucky to have the opportunity to taste Indonesian food at the Festival.
“Indonesian culinary is very delicious. “Visitors, especially US people who have never tried Indonesian food, must come to this festival,” he said.
WOW Indonesia! The festival was also enlivened by performances by Andien & Ronald Steven, Stephanie Poetri, Ekos Dance Company, Mansyur Anklung and Warren Hue.
The festival received a very positive response from the community and diaspora in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Business Forum
Apart from holding the Festival, in the WOW Indonesia! series, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC also held a Business Forum on August 26 2024. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi gave a keynote speech and underlined Indonesia’s commitment to increasing cooperation with the US in various fields, including creating a resilient global supply chain, critical minerals and energy transition, with the principle of inclusivity.
The forum presents leaders of various well-known companies, such as Apple, Disney, VISA, Mastercard, Google, ExxonMobil, Freeport, Ford, Trinitan Green Energy Metals and Lockheed Martin. This Business Forum was held in collaboration with Bank Indonesia, US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), and Indonesia Investment Promotion Center New York (IIPC NY).
Apart from that, the 75th anniversary celebration was also enlivened by the Knowledge Forum held on August 22 at the World Bank and the SMEs Trade Forum on August 23 in Washington DC.
The Knowledge Forum by the World Bank entitled Indonesia Knowledge Forum: Development and Beyond, among other things, raised the topic of energy transition and green infrastructure. The forum opened with a recorded keynote speech from the Minister of Finance. This forum was also attended by the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises of Indonesia, the Regional Vice President of the World Bank and representatives of Ministries/Institutions, as well as representatives of US academics and development institutions. The holding of the Forum also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the development partnership between Indonesia and the World Bank Group.
The SMEs Trade Forum is an effective forum to support the expansion of the market for Indonesian small and medium business products in the US by bringing together Indonesian business actors with US companies. The forum presented the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises as the main resource person, the Chair of the US – Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Washington DC. (AT Network)
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