After Success of ‘A Separation,’ Iran to Host Cultural Festival

Jakarta Globe, Ade Mardiyati, March 02, 2012

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Indonesia is set to host
 Cultural Week from March 7 to 13 in Jakarta. It will feature film screenings,
 workshops on Iranian arts, photography exhibitions and traditional music
performances. (Agency Photo)

               

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Indonesia is set to host Cultural Week from March 7 to 13 in Jakarta. It will feature film screenings, workshops on Iranian arts, photography exhibitions and traditional music performances.

As part of the festivities, the embassy will also host a film festival at Pusat Perfilman Usmar Ismail in Kuningan, South Jakarta, from March 9 to 12. There will be discussions with Iranian directors and actors.

“Through this Cultural Week event, we are trying to introduce the culture and people of the Republic of Iran to the Indonesian people,” said Mahmoud Farazandeh, the Iranian ambassador, during a recent news conference at his residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

“There are plenty of Indonesian people I met who have expressed interest in Iranian films, so we decided to run this event.”

Among the films to be screened are “A Span of Heaven,” “The Third Day,” “The Sun Shines on All Equally” and “Eighth Sky.”

Iranian cinema has recently been thrust onto the international stage with the success of “A Separation,” which won Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, among some 45 film award wins for the drama.

While most modern movies portray violence, romance and unique relationships, the message of Iranian films, according to Farazandeh, is to show the world the problems that exist in the country. Some of these problems are unique to Iran, while some problems, such as “A Separation’s” portrayal of a couple struggling to care for their children and an ailing parent, are universal to all cultures.

“We don’t present merely entertainment. There is always a message we want to deliver,” he said. “It is how to say something without using violence or sexual scenes.”

The film industry, Farazandeh said, was one way to voice revolution in Iran.

“We don’t believe that violence can help reach revolution. Instead, it is the values of humanity that can,” he said. “Our revolution is a cultural one.” 

Cultural Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran

March 7-13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Museum Nasional, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta

W. Java to open batik academy

The JakartaPost, Jakarta,Tue, 11/29/2011

The West Java Batik Foundation (YBJB) will establish a Batik Academy to develop and train young professional Batik makers.

“The West Java Batik Academy will train batik professionals to master batik skills and be ready to work in the batik industry,” the foundation’s executive director Komaruddin Hudiya said on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

The academy is scheduled to be established in 2012 with a capacity of more than 100 graduates per class. Every class will learn batik for three months and develop their own businesses.

“The batik market is still promising right now, even though the booming started in 2009. We are trying to maintain the market’s gusto for batik products by developing batik motifs from various regencies,” Komaruddin said.

He added that there had been 200 batik motifs in West Java that had been published in a batik motifs pocket book.

RI to host World Batik Summit in Jakarta

Antara News, Mon, July 11 2011

 The event is expected to attract international`s interest towards batik.

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• Batam to become ASEAN Batik trading center

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is to hold World Batik Summit 2011 in Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) next September 28 - October 2, a source said.

(ANTARA/ Wahyu Putro A)

"The event is expected to attract international`s interest towards batik," Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam said here on Monday.

Also founder of Batik Indonesia foundation, Dipo said the World Batik Summit was aimed to establish a strong networking between batik makers and lovers around the world.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said the WBS event would be participated in by 1,000 delegates from Indonesia and abroad. The delegates are coming from various background namely practitioner, academia, marketing and fashion critic.

She said the WBS would become a forum for batik makers to promote their products.

Editor: Ella Syafputri

Batam designated as ASEAN batik trade center

Antara News, Sat, May 21 2011

Batam (ANTARA News) - The Trade Ministry has designated Batam city in Riau Islands province as an ASEAN Batik Trade Center, a local trade official said.

"The Trade Ministry approved the designation of Batam city as an ASEAN Batik Trade Center yesterday," spokesperson of Batam`s Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Nada Faza Soraya, said here on Saturday.

She said the selection of Batam as an Asean Batik Trade Center was agreed on during an ASEAN summit in Jakarta early this month.

According to her, it was the Kadin Indonesia Foundation and Indonesian Batik Foundation that had asked the Trade Ministry to name Batam as a batik trade center in the ASEAN region.

Nada said t due to its strategic location and sea border with several Asean countries, the city was desfined as the Asean batik trade center.

In late 2009, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized batik as an Indonesian cultural heritage.

Batik was considered not only as part of Indonesian cultural heritage but also recognized as a representation of humanity`s culture for its rich value and cultural inheritance.

With the determination of Batam as batik trade center in Asean, she said Indonesian batik industry was expected to be more prospective.

Therefore, Nada added that Kadin along with several other batik foundations would conduct batik education and its familiarization.

According to her, batik-related education was necessary for Indonesian community to know more about Indonesian cultural riches which have been recognized internationally.

"The Indonesian community need to know various kinds batik motif after it has been internationally recognized," Nada said, adding that every detail of batik had the value of a decent life that has to be maintained.

According to her the color and motif of batik also reflects the regions in Indonesia because every region has its own typical motif.

"Batik is found all over Indonesia and every area in the country has its own motif of batik," she said.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

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Australia increases development assistance to Indonesia

Antara News, Wed, May 11 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government will increase its development assistance to Indonesia from Rp923 billion in 2010-2011 to Rp5.15 trillion for the 2011-2012 period.

"The increase in aid funding demonstrates Australia`s long-term commitment to reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development in Indonesia,"Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said in press release here Wednesday.

Ambassador Moriarty said that the Australian aid program will focus on alleviating poverty through social protection programs, supporting governance reforms, and improving poor people`s access to health, education, transportation, clean water and sanitation facilities.

Australia will support Indonesia achieve its goal of giving every Indonesian child good basic education.

The aid will improve education for more than 500,000 Indonesian children by building schools and improving the quality of their education, including for those with disabilities and children in poor and remote areas.

"Australia recognizes that sustainable and equitable economic growth in Indonesia can improve livelihoods, create job opportunities and raise household income. This is why we will increase our commitment to Indonesia by improving access to essential infrastructure services such as water, sanitation and transportation," he said.

Moriarty said that Australia has strong connections with the people and communities in Indonesia, and will continue providing assistance in the wake of emergencies and disasters, as well as help promote sustainable growth.

Today`s announcement reaffirms Australia`s ongoing commitment to scale up its development assistance program to 0.5 percent of the Gross National Income in 2015 and 2016.

The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring that every dollar spent on aid in Indonesia has the maximum impact on poverty eradication and economic development.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

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Finding America's Best Batik Designers

Jakarta Globe, May 03, 2011

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Whether it's Bill Clinton or Jessica Alba, it's clear a myriad of Americans have already been won over by batik. With this in mind, the Indonesian Embassy in the US is holding a batik design competition for American citizens.

A woman draws a batik pattern in Solo.
(Photo: Jurnasyanto Sukarn, JG)

The American Batik Design Competition is aimed at creating a marriage of Indonesia's time-honored batik motif and America's diverse culture. While the end product may still manifest a trait of the original motifs, the design is expected to exhibit American spirit and values.

"The 21st century will be an era of confluence and fusion between cultures,” Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal said during the launch of the event last month.

“This is a perfect time for the rich heritage of Indonesian batik to meet American contemporary designs."

Participants, American citizens 16-years-old and above, have to submit their designs — just the digital design, not on an actual textile — before August 1.

While usual fashion elements such as colorfulness, imagery and composition factor in, key to winning the competition is how the design conveys the contextual meaning of American values through batik.

And of course, the design should be friendly enough to be inked on an actual fabric.

Once the winners have been announced, the digital design will be handed over to the skilled Indonesian batik artists to be translated into a hand-made batik.

The event was first launched on April 8 in Washington DC, and then further introduced in New York and San Francisco, before going to Houston and Chicago this month.

Three first-place winners of the competition will fly to from the US to Indonesia for a two-week batik excursion in a number of cities, while having their designs showcased to aficionados in an exhibition in San Francisco, Washington DC and Jakarta.

For the complete rules and guidelines, click here.

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20 Indonesian/Dutch players coming to RI for soccer event

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 03/09/2011

Twenty Indonesian soccer players of mixed descent from the Netherlands will arrive in Indonesia this Sunday for a special soccer-related event.

Former captain of the Netherlands
’ 2010 World Cup team Giovanni
van Bronckhorst

Among them is former captain of the Netherlands’ 2010 World Cup team Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the President’s special staffer for regional development and autonomy, Felix Wanggai, said Wednesday, as reported by antaranews.com.

They will be in Indonesia for 12 days for a program termed “Indonesia is my country”, which is aimed at motivating Indonesian players, Felix said.

All of the players are of Indonesian and Dutch descent and have played in competitions in Europe.

They will arrive in Indonesia this coming Sunday and leave on March 24. They will first go to Ambon before heading to Jakarta and then to Denpasar. During their visit, they will train young players, conduct workshops for local coaches and play in friendly competitions.

“They are also scheduled to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," Felix said.

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USAID helping Borobudur`s rehabilitation with $100,000

Antara News, Mon, March 7 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US international aid agency USAID is providing 100,000 US dollars to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to rehabilitate the Borobudur temple compound in the aftermath of the recent Mount Merapi eruptions.

According to a US embassy`s press release received here Monday, the aid was given under the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.

USAID would provide support for the emergency cleanup, including retention of a large local workforce and purchase of equipment for the cleaning operation.

The Comprehensive Partnership is critical to the bilateral relationship and is founded on the shared values of freedom, pluralism, tolerance, democracy and respect for human rights.

Borobudur temple was temporarily closed to visitors late last year when concern about the longer-term effects of ash on the monument emerged.

Indonesia`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism along with the compound`s Site Authority had initiated emergency cleanup measures. Significant work needs to be done in order to reinvigorate tourism - a critical economic resource for the region.

"The support we are providing will help build the livelihoods of affected local communities through their involvement in the rehabilitation of the cultural tourism sector, which is critical to the area?s economy," said USAID Mission Director Walter North.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mount Merapi is located less than 35 kilometers from Borobudur. A series of eruptions in October and November 2010 resulted in the deaths of 322 people and the displacement of more than 135,000 people. The Mount Merapi eruptions covered the Borobudur compound in 4.5 centimeters of volcanic ash.

The Borobudur compound was built between the eighth and ninth centuries using 57,000 cubic meters of volcanic stone. The monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 statues. In 1991 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and a critical economic resource for the local government.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

@america: Cultural outreach to young foreigners

San Francisco Chronicle, Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, Sunday, March 6, 2011

Go US: A visitor registers at @america , a hi-tech cultural center|
intended to enable Indonesians to interact with that country on their
own terms. JP/Ricky Yudhistira

PST Jakarta, Indonesia -- On the third floor of a shopping mall, around the corner from a Gap Kids and a Wedgwood china outlet, a new tenant is busily promoting what is perhaps the world's biggest brand: America.

The tenant, called @america, represents the U.S. government's first attempt at creating a full-fledged cultural center since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. A high-tech, interactive operation heralded as the digital-age successor to the venerable American Cultural Center, it is also U.S. public diplomacy's latest effort to win over young foreigners, especially in Muslim countries.

Thousands of high school and college students have been bused in from schools in Jakarta, the capital, and its outskirts since @america's opening in December. The technology on display - a giant, supercharged version of Google Earth called Liquid Galaxy, scores of iPads that are available to test, interactive monitors explaining Black History Month - thrilled the teenagers.

It was unclear whether the center had changed their perceptions of the United States, though.

Tech savvy: Young visitors browse
through their e-guides at the @america
center. JP/Ricky Yudhistira

"It doesn't matter what they think of the United States - 'Do you hate us? Do you love us? Are you somewhere in between?' " said Matt McGowan, 36, an American whose company, PT Ganesha Aggies Jaya, has been contracted to run the center.

The State Department's undersecretary for public diplomacy, Judith McHale, described @america as the "first of a new generation of American cultural centers."

Eva Zahrowati, 34, an English teacher at Islamic Senior High School No. 4, said her students had picked up bits of U.S. history during their visit.

She added, however, that the center's location - in one of Jakarta's most tightly guarded malls - created "obstacles" for Indonesians like her students. Visitors must undergo body scans and deposit their bags between two doors to enter @america, and the heavy security had left a bad taste.

"Is America afraid of us?" Zahrowati said.

The technology used by @america impressed Annisa Mutiara, 16, who said her dream was to go to a U.S. university. But Annisa was not swayed by what she assumed was the motivation behind the invitation to her school.

"I believe that America hates Muslims, and I'm a Muslim," she said. "I still believe that after coming here."

@america

Pacific Place Mall 3rd floor #325

Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav.52-53

Kebayoran Baru, Central Jakarta, 12190

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Miniature traditional Gowa house to be built in South Africa

Antara News, Wed, February 23 2011

Gowa traditional house or Balla Lompoa. (gowata.blogspot.com)

Maskassar (ANTARA News) - A miniature traditional Gowa house from South Sulawesi, known as Balla Lompoa, will soon be built in South Africa.

South African Ambassador to Indonesia Noel N. Lehoko discussed the plan to build the Gowa traditional house at a meeting with South Sulawesi Vice Governor Agus Arifin Nu`mang here on Wednesday.

The miniature of Gowa traditional house in South Africa is expected to further strengthen cultural ties between the country and South Sulawesi.

"The purpose of my visit here is to connect the cooperation that has been done and to renew a memorandum of understanding that has expired," the South African envoy said.

Relations between South Africa and South Sulawesi have lasted for 300 years but remained strong because there used to be Syeh Yusuf tomb in South Africa but it has been removed to South Sulawesi.

Meanwhile, Agus Arifin said that in the past visit to South Africa by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the plan to build a miniature of Balla Lompoa in Cape Town was discussed.

"The South African envoy mentioned the from central government and thus we will prepare the miniature of Balla Lompoa to be built in Cape Town," Agus Arifin said.

In addition, he said the cooperation with South Africa in the field of education, culture, trade, and tourism would also be developed.

Agus Arifin said that one of tourism cooperation that could be developed was a tour package to South Africa like Umrah package plus to Cairo and Palestine.

In education field, he said South Africa could also be a choice by South Sulawesi students to take their doctorate degrees in mining.

"South Africa with its surrounding countries have a high economic level and are open to South Sulawesi because of their cultural relations," Agus said.

Editor: Priyambodo

Ryaas: Hard to keep Jakarta as capital city

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/24/2011

Presidential Advisory Council member Ryaas Rasyid says that Jakarta is becoming more difficult to keep as the capital city and suggests moving the capital somewhere else.

“A capital city does not need mining and other industries. Instead it needs seclusion for the government to work with ease,” Ryaas said during a seminar, titled “The Country’s Capital, Challenges and Hopes” in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday.

Ryaas said that Jakarta had become central to nearly everything, but given its complexities the capital should immediately be moved to another area.

There are two options, according to Ryass, either to move the capital city or the government offices to another province.

“Either somewhere in or off Java. South Sulawesi has been the first to be nominated, and may prompt other provinces to nominate [themselves] as well,” he said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

“We must not be blinded by a concept based on history that Jakarta should be kept as the capital city,” he added.

Perhaps Sukarno decided to locate the central government in Jakarta based on Indonesia’s hard-earned triumph over the Netherlands in the past, Ryass said.

South Sulawesi’s prospects also depend on further examinations of urban planning and other requirements.

The government itself, he said, needs to prepare a preliminary budget both for the country and outside of the country.

Noted businessman Tanri Abeng said that if South Sulawesi wants to nominate itself as the new capital city, it should start promoting multi-cultural perspectives in the city’s life.

Tanri alluded to nagging tensions between different ethnic groups in the city.

“That [anti-multiculturalism] culture needs to be changed. If not, how can we suggest the city to host the capital should its culture fail to accommodate different ethnic groups,” he said.

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Indonesian, American women`s soccer exchange

Antara News, Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Four women`s soccer coaches from the United States held a soccer training clinic on Monday,January 3, 2011 at Jakarta State University for more than 150 young Indonesian women and disabled athletes.

A press release from US Embassy in its official website said the American coaches would also hold clinics in Surabaya, East Java, on January 5, and Pontianak, West Kalimantan on January 7, 2011.

Prior to leaving Jakarta, the coaches shared the stage @america with four female Indonesian athletes (Rally Marina-car racer, Fanny Kalumata, player of the women's national basketball team, Andari Putrianti, member of the Indonesian Youth National Female Softball team and Santia, Silver Medal winner at the SEA GAMES 2010 in Athletics) and Monica Desideria from the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and ANTV to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing women in sports.

In attendance were approximately 70 female athletes from Jakarta and several members of the press.

The training is part of the "The Indonesia-America Soccer Exchange," made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with the Center for Civic Education Indonesia.

The program aims to further improve understanding between the people of Indonesia and the United States through the medium of youth sports.

The "Indonesia-America Soccer Exchange" has two components. The first includes three one-day training clinics for female athletes, including disabled athletes, within the 12-20 year-old range and 30 coaches.

After the training sessions in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Pontianak, a smaller group of coaches and athletes will participate in an eight to ten day visit to the United States.

The visiting American coaches include former members of the U.S. Women`s National Soccer Team, U.S. Women`s National Youth Team, and top NCAA university programs who are now elite youth basketball club and high school coaches in the United States.

They are Janine Szpara, Cori Alexander, Rachel Rapinoe, and Karen Willoughby.

WHO assistance to create healthy, pleasant traditional markets

Antara News, Thursday, September 23, 2010 00:10 WIB

Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided 2,400 US dollars to support a program to improve the sanitary health infrastructure of the Argosari traditional market in Wonosari, Gunung Kidul district.

A Health Ministry official, Wilfred M Purba, said here Wednesday the financial assistance was given under a cooperation agreement between the ministry and WHO.

"The program has a non-physical aspect , namely to change the general public`s perception of traditional markets as disorderly, untidy, dirty establishments so that they would be able to compete with modern markets which were already beginning to operate in Gunung Kidul district." he said.

He said the physical assistance in the form of infrastructure was given based on the traditional market`s needs determined by market`s stakeholders and the Gunung Kidul district government.

According to Wilfred, the best way to create a healthy traditional market was changing the market stakeholders behavior, namely the behavior of the people selling their goods in the market, the market visitors, the market traders` association and the market management.

He said altering the stakeholders` behavior was important to change the traditional market`s image in addition to the provision of supporting facilities needed to keep the market healthy, clean, neat and pleasant to see.

"The direction of the traditional market can be used for buying and selling transactions and tourism market so that visitors besides buying what they need can also engage in recreation," he said.

He said the Argosari traditional market as one of tens of traditional markets in Indonesia which turned into model traditional markets.

A WHO Indonesia officer, Tri Prasetyo, said the aim of the programs was also to anticipate the spread of avian influenza.

"The interest of market users will possible decrease if directly talking about the anticipation of avian influenza so that we have delivered to the people about a healthy market as general," he said.

He said that the traditional market program had been implemented since July 2009 and it would end on 2011. "Now we are coming to the phase of training the market management." he said.

China pushes for business and cultural cooperation with RI

Desy Nurhayati, The Jakarta Post, Ubud, Bali | Mon, 09/20/2010 10:22 AM

China is looking forward to developing new areas of cooperation with Indonesia as the two countries celebrate their 60th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.

Fields of cooperation worthy of further development include trade and investment and tourism and culture, delegation chief Cai Jinbiao said during the group’s visit to Ubud on Saturday.

The delegation came to Indonesia to attend a public seminar “Indonesia and China after 60 years of diplomatic relations” to be held in Jakarta this Monday when scholars will engage in intense discussion of new ideas to promote bilateral bonds.

Delegates from China include representatives from the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, while the Indonesian counterparts are scholars from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Jinbiao, the vice president of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, told The Jakarta Post that in the past 60 years, especially after China applied its openness policy, the bilateral relationship had been developing by leaps and bounds through various forms of partnership.

“We have reached the stage where our relationship could be promoted to an even higher level.

The scope of our trade and investment relationships is widening. I am confident that there will be more investment in the future,” he said.

Both countries expect to achieve US$30 billion in trade in 2010 and $50 billion in 2014.

The two countries have also established strategic cultural partnerships nurtured by exchange visits.

Regarding tourism, Indonesia has become a destination for many Chinese travelers, Jinbiao added. “There is a growing number of Chinese tourists coming here, and we’d like to see more. We also welcome Indonesian tourists to visit our country,” he said.

Advancing bilateral relations not only serves the interests of both nations, but also promotes relations between China and ASEAN, and broader development across the region, he said, acknowledging that Indonesia has played a very important role in the regional grouping.

With the FTA between China and ASEAN set for implementation this year, both parties have explored the benefits of declining import tax rates and increased trade volumes, Jinbiao said.

Year-on-year trade between China and ASEAN increased 49.6 percent in the first seven months of this year, reaching US$161 billion, with ASEAN enjoying a $7.54 billion surplus.

Indonesia to host Global Peace Festival of Asia Pacific 2010

English.news.cn, 2010-09-09

JAKARTA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will host the Global Peace Festival of Asia Pacific 2010, a world conference on peace joined by about 400 religious and faith leaders on Oct. 15-18, detikcom online news reported on Thursday.

"The selection of Indonesia as the host country is right as while we have many races, religions, skin colors and others, we can live in peace and harmony," said Patron Head of Global Peace Festival Indonesia Foundation (GPIF) Musdah Mulia.

Mulia hopes that the conference could be followed up with concrete cooperation.

The event will peak on Oct. 17, featuring culture and art performance of various regions in Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations.

Religious leaders and public figures will also send peace messages.

Maluku invited to organize "Ambon Night" in Darwin

Antara News, Thursday, June 17, 2010 13:50 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Australian Northern Territorial Governor Tom Pauling has invited Maluku province to promote its tourism potential through "Ambon Night" in Darwin in October this year.

Maluku Vice Governor Said Assagaff said here on Thursday Pauling forwarded the invitation to him when he visited Darwin on June 8-10, 2010.

"The government of Australian Northern Territory is interested in Maluku tourism, especially traditional culture and arts, so it invites us to organize Ambon Night in Darwin in October," Assagaff said.

He said the invitation from Australia was part of a realization in Ambon-Darwin sister city cooperation which has been in effective for years.

Assagaff said he would coordinate the Australia`s invitation with Maluku branch of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies Association (Asita) and the district heads/mayors to make use of such a strategic opportunity.

Besides, Governor Tom Pauling also invited Maluku`s under-18 soccer team to play in Darwin in May next year.

"Governor Tom Pauling is planning a friendly soccer competition between soccer teams from Northern Territory, Timor Leste, and Maluku," Assagaff said.

He said the Australian Northern Territory governor even agreed to send an aircraft to transport the 25 players including sport managers and officials from Maluku to Darwin for the soccer game.

"Transportation and accommodation will be provided by the government of Northern Territory while food will be prepared by the Indonesian Consulate General in Darwin," Assagaff said.

Assagaff promptly welcomed the invitation from Australia because the soccer game would be a tryout for the team from Maluku whose members are under 18 years of age.

"It is an honor for Maluku and Timor Leste soccer team under 18 to play in Darwin," said the Maluku vice governor.

Assagaff added that he would organize it with the provincial administrators and Maluku branch of All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to prepare the team for the international friendship match.

Indonesia mantles $10 million bamboo house in Shanghai

Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Shanghai | Sat, 05/01/2010 10:30 AM

First strike: Indonesian delegation, represented by among others (from right to left), Indonesian Ambassador to China Imron Cotan, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa play a gamelan music instrument to officially open the Indonesian pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on Saturday. – JP/Primastuti Handayani

The government of Indonesia is using the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, as a stepping stone to nation branding, which is constantly being redefined and improved, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said here Friday.

In Shanghai, the government has built a US$10 million pavilion that depicts a tropical-themed house using bamboo. The 2,400-square-meter pavilion will be officially opened for the public Saturday, the day the expo opens.

Mari emphasized that Indonesia’s participation in the five yearly event was to showcase the progress that had the government had achieved, as well as answer misperceptions the public might have about Indonesia such as it being unsafe, undemocratic and marred with corruption.

“We want to use the expo to show how wonderful Indonesia is,” she said.

“We hope our participation at the event can increase the number of tourists from China. Data from the visa issuance shows that about 350,000 Chinese tourists visit Indonesia annually. The figure, however, is lower compared to other Southeast Asian countries.”

Edy Putra Irawadi, deputy to the coordinating economic minister, in charge of industry and trade, said that Indonesia’s participation at the expo covered many regions in the archipelago.

The government hopes to net Rp 1 trillion (US$110.8 million) in transactions at the six-month long event from a multiplying effect tourism, trade and investment sectors can produce. To further herald the Indonesia brand, the government will host a series of other international events such as the ASEAN Summit and the SEA Games next year, as well as the 2013 APEC meeting.

“By hosting those events, Indonesia will be under the spotlight. We have plenty of homework to do, especially in the service sector,” she said after visiting the China and Japan pavilions at the expo with Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa.

“We should provide better services, especially at the country’s entrances such as airports. We have an advantage in our role as host for ASEAN, as the bloc is holding meetings throughout the year. As for the APEC meeting, we should consider if we need to build new hotels or convention centers.”

All natural: The Green School in Bali features bamboo construction engineered into a more modern look. JP/ Zul Trio Anggono

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Bali Cultural Center to be built in India

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Fri, 04/30/2010 10:11 AM

DENPASAR: Bali Hindu Center will be built on a 2-hectare plot near the Ganges River to allow visitors to learn more about the island’s culture and religion.

Indra Udayana from Ashram Gandhi Puri said the center would serve as a cultural and religious bridge connecting Balinese and Indian people. The Ganges is considered a sacred river in Hinduism.

“Every year, millions of people visit the site for spiritual enlightenment,” Udayana said.

“Therefore, it would be quite strategic to introduce Balinese culture to fellow Hindus from around the world,” he said.

The development of the center was an initiative by Hindu leaders such as Pedanda (High Priest) Made Gunung, Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka and former Bali governors Ida Bagus Mantra and Dewa Made Beratha. — JP