Tribune News Network
Jakarta
A high-level cultural delegation from Qatar has arrived in Indonesia as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture (YoC) initiative to jointly carry out cultural exchanges and deepen bilateral relations between the two countries across various sectors of the creative economy. Indonesia is the 11th partner country of the annual cultural exchange launched by Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in 2012 and the first country in Southeast Asia.
The Qatari delegation is led by HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and president of Qatar National Library, and includes representatives from cultural institutions in Qatar. They were joined by Qatar’s Ambassador to Indonesia HE Fawziya Edrees Salman Al-Sulaiti.
"We believe that culture is one of the most effective tools for bringing people together, encouraging dialogue and connection, and deepening understanding between peoples. Guided by Qatar’s National Vision 2030, we seek to strengthen cultural exchange and dialogue between global communities. For this reason, Qatar launched the Years of Culture initiative a decade ago to deepen understanding between nations and their people,” explained HE Dr Al-Kawari.
The Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture is organised under the theme of ‘Bhinneka’, which means diversity. Although Indonesia and Qatar share cultural and social similarities, both countries are home to diverse people who live together in harmony. This year will celebrate the unique aspects of Indonesian culture and its relationship to Qatari culture. Partnerships will also emphasise supporting the development of Indonesia’s creative economy as one of the fastest growing emerging markets, including an emphasis on projects that will boost the creative industries in both countries with a focus on sustainable long-term partnerships.
During the visit, HE Dr Al-Kawari held meetings with a number of ministers, including with Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.
During the meetings, Director General for Culture Dr Hilmar Farid also discussed joint the possibility of a joint research programme with the Qatar National Library to bring a new perspective on the historic spice trade route from Indonesia to the Arab World and the coast of Africa, exploring the Southeast Asian perspective in films with the support of the Doha Film Institute and cooperation with museum teams from both countries in a variety of training programs.
The year-long cultural collaboration between Qatar and Indonesia centres on 12 pillars, including art, fashion and design, music and theater, sports, film and photography, cuisine, literature, health and education, politics and economics, museums and exhibitions, sustainability, and science and technology. These pillars are brought to life throughout the year in Qatar and the partnering country through collaborative residency programmes, photography exchanges, culinary trips, social projects, art exhibitions, and literary and film festivals. Qatar-Indonesia YoC 2023 features an expansive programme taking place across the country of Indonesia, including Jakarta, Medan, Jogjakarta, Bali, Sumba, Tasikmalaya, Ternate, Pontianak, and other cities and provinces.