The Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo, Anja Margetić Stakić, together with the Ambassador of Indonesia, Roem Kono, opened the third Indonesian weekend in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
“I am happy that in addition to all the activities, this year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Indonesia, between Sarajevo and Jakarta,” said Margetić Stakić.
For his part, ambassador Kono said that it is a privilege for him to welcome all, honorable guests to Indonesia Weekend 2024, adding that Indonesia Embassy in Sarajevo has hosted the event 3 years in a row since 2020 as a celebration of bond and friendship between the people of two countries.
“We are hopeful this event serves as a good representation of Indonesia and invite all the visitors from all over the world to interact with and experience the diversity of Indonesian culture,” ambassador added.
This event showcases a wide variety of Indonesian multicultural aspects, ranging from culinary, tourism destinations, art and culture. Indonesia is bestowed by the multiculture defined by ethnicities, cultures, beliefs with more than 700 native languages.
“Indonesia is one of the countries that posses the most islands in the world, around 17,000 islands, 270 million population. The festival will share this experience with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina along with the international communities in Sarajevo, he added.
Ambassador explained that the course of 3 days event, they want to invite the audience, not only to enjoy the art and cultural performance but also to participate in the interactive program.
“In this great occasion, we invite all the audience to interact with the variety of Indonesian traditional folk games, singing, dancing and to taste the Indonesian culinary and Indomie. We also invite the audience to enjoy the various Indonesian hot meals and drink that are only reserved in the festival event. Special only in 2024, We also serve the excellent taste of coffee from Indonesia and delicately prepared by a coffee roaster from Bosnia,” he emphasized.
Mr. Kono concluded by saying that since his arrival in 2020 until today, he highly admires the rapid progress of Sarajevo in particular the advancement of infrastructure and transport. He firmly believes the City of Sarajevo will continue to thrive and become one of the most important cities in Balkan for business, tourism and socio– cultural activities.
“I firmly believe this festival will serve as a major landmark in developing the relation of people-to-people contact and in particular between Indonesia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, that has been thriving in many areas (politics, economy and cultural affairs),” Mr. Kono concluded.
The Embassy wishes that the event will increase people’s awareness and knowledge about Indonesia and its potential. There will be sessions during the festival that will invite the audience from public to interact and get accustomed to Indonesian traditional games, experiencing and enjoying Indonesian art and cultural performances as well enjoying Indonesian authentic culinary.
The Festival is the reflection of goodwill from Indonesian national to draw closer ties with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Indonesian Embassy in Sarajevo regard it as objective and make Indonesia Weekend Festival as an annual program.
As the relation of the two countries will be portrayed by the friendship of its people, The Embassy fervently hopes that the event will serve to nurture and foster people interaction.
