Bridging the Gap Between Cultures

Dubai, UAE - Indonesian Consul General Mansyur Pangeran stressed on “people-to-people connection” during a festival he recently hosted, aimed at fostering better understanding between the over 70,000 Indonesians and other nationalities in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

“I believe that people-to-people connection will pave the way for improved relations between and among countries,” Pangeran told The Gulf Today.

“The best way to achieve this connection is through events like this,” added the diplomat, who has been in Dubai for four months since his last posting in Oslo, Norway.

He was interviewed prior to the two-hour “Indonesian Cultural Festival 2010” held at the Sultan Bin Ali Owais Cultural Foundation in Deira, Dubai, on Thursday evening.

Bettering relations

He pointed out that there are between 70,000 and 80,000 Indonesians in the six emirates working in banking and finance, hospitality, shipping, medical as well as in the domestic or household industries.

 “We have 360 different tribes and we want people to know about us and our varied culture,” said Pangeran.

Posted in the Middle East for the first time, Pangeran emphasised the “people-to-people connection” when he mentioned that as Jakarta’s representative to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, his mission is “to increase bilateral trade relations.”

A news report from the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Oct. 29 quoted Pangeran, in relation to the country’s participation in the “Fourth Seafood Expo 2010,” as saying “The participation of Indonesian companies in the Fourth Seafood Expo 2010 has helped the Consulate General in Dubai in its efforts to promote Indonesian products, specifically seafood in the UAE and other GCC countries through Dubai.”

“Therefore, (Pangeran) explained the consulate general would continue its support and hoped that Indonesia’s participation would continue in the future with more companies,” added the report.

Cultural fest

The “Indonesian Cultural Festival 2010” featured a literature section about the largest archipelago consisting of 17,508 islands. It also revealed insight into the the largest Muslim nation in the world with over 238 million people and showcased traditional songs and dances such as “Neng Geulis” and “Ponggawa” from the country.

During the festival, artifacts and a batik fashion show were also presented to reveal more information about Indonesian culture.

Featured culinary treats included Sate Ayam (grilled chicken fillet served with peanut sauce), Nase Goreng (traditional Indonesian chicken fried rice), and Mi Goreng (traditional Indonesian chicken fried noodles).

The traditional sweets that were available at the festival were Klepon (glutinous rice powder cake stuffed with palm sugar rolled in grated coconut), Talam Ebi (mungbean cake sprinkled with shrimp powder), and Kue Pepe (sweet pandanese tapioca cake).

Source: http://gulftoday.ae

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