79th Anniversary of Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Damascus organized a reception yesterday on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of its Independence Day, at Dar Al-Assad for Culture and Arts in Damascus.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Finance Kenan Yaghi, member of the Central Leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party and Head of the Central Farmers Office Ayman Al-Daqqaq, Governor of Damascus countryside Ahmad Khalil, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Raad, a number of directors of departments in the ministry, a number of members of the People’s Assembly, ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Syria,

 The Indonesian Ambassador in Damascus, Mr. Wajid Fauzi said in his speech : “Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945. 79 years ago, Indonesia fought to seize independence and fought to defend it.

History witnesses how difficult it was to gain independence and defend it, because the colonial powers were not willing for a new country like Indonesia to be independent and sovereign as an independent country.

In seeking and maintaining independence, Indonesia has never forgotten the support of friendly nations, including Syria, which supported Indonesia’s independence.

Since then, Indonesia’s friendship with Syria has been established and has continued to this day.

Thank God, today we are witnessing seventy-seven years of brotherhood and friendship between our two countries, which are founded on mutual respect for the sovereignty and independence of the two countries. This was reflected in joint support in bilateral and multilateral forums.

Based on this friendship, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has continued its duty in Damascus since its opening in 1955 to date and has continued to provide services and various activities, with a view to strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries, in order to achieve cooperation in various political, economic, cultural, social and educational fields. In addition to many other activities that benefit the people of the two countries.

 2024 is an important year for the Indonesian nation, as Indonesia recently completed the general elections for the President, Vice-President and People’s Assembly for the period 2024-2029. The new Indonesian Government, which will assume its duties on 20 October 2024, is determined to pursue to improve government performance. Government change is also part of the dynamics of democracy that naturally occur.

Thankfully, in the midst of these changes, Indonesia and Syria maintained deep and historic friendly relations. We therefore need to continue diplomatic efforts to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries in various areas to the benefit of the two countries’ peoples.

In my view, diplomacy is not only meetings, visits, discussions and conventions, it is a great deal more, it should be a bridge to achieve closer cooperation, not only at the governmental level, but also at all levels, and the most important of which is the social and cultural level between the two countries’ peoples.

Upon this spirit, the Indonesian Embassy is committed to its role as a bridge to strengthen cooperation and friendship between the peoples of the two countries in various fields.

Over the past five years, the embassy has facilitated meetings between Indonesian and Syrian businessmen, to enable them to benefit from the economic potential of both countries.

In the cultural sphere, the Embassy invited traditional dance instructors from Indonesia to teach the Syrian people some traditional dances to brief them on the diversity of Indonesian culture to add color to the colors of the Syrian culture. We also held batik art workshops under the supervision of specialized experts from Indonesia. About a year ago, we invited a martial arts instructor to introduce the Syrian people to the art of self-defense in Pencak Silat.

Thankfully, in cooperation with the General Sports Federation and the Syrian Martial Arts Federation, we have been able to hold training courses in Damascus and Aleppo, and the number of athletes who are now learning this sport has increased.

The Embassy also provides an opportunity for those who wish to learn Indonesian to join our annual language courses, besides, scholarships provided by the Government and Indonesian universities to Syrian students, although in limited numbers.

Among our efforts to introduce Indonesia, tonight we humbly show a glimpse of Indonesia’s face in the form of Indonesian dance and songs. We hope that in the future we can introduce more Indonesian culture throughout Syria. We hope that this small step can strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

We are all, the people of Indonesia, pray for the continued progress and prosperity of Syria”.

For her part, Dr. Lubana Mushaweh, Minister of Culture saied that:” I can only thank friends in Republic of Indonesia for standing with the Syrian people during the terrorist war imposed on Syria and their appreciable assistance to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Syria”.

” We affirm our aspiration to strengthen bilateral relations  between our two friendly countries in all political, economic and cultural spheres to live up to friendship and brotherhood relationships that brings together the Indonesian and Syrian people” She said.

The celebration included shows about Indonesia through the performances of a number of Indonesian dances and songs performed by some Syrian artists.

Reported and  Photos: Nada Haj Khidr