European and Indonesian influence appeared at the Europe Day celebrations at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski on Monday.
Guests ranged from Indonesian ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and activists to students, and they were welcomed by a choir and orchestra performing European and Indonesian songs.
The choir and orchestra played a few classic songs before they performed the Indonesian traditional song, “Lir Ilir”.
The Indonesian anthem was played before a speech by European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN Julian Wilson.
Wilson delivered his speech partly in two languages, as he demonstrated his ability to speak some Indonesian phrases.
Wilson greeted Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad and former foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda.
He said in Indonesian: “Saya senang melihat hubungan EU dan Indonesia berkembang baik, luas dan dinamis (I am proud to see the EU and Indonesia's wider and more dynamic relations)."
Wilson said he hoped that the EU could help Indonesia make it through the reconstruction process from natural disasters like the tsunami and Mount Merapi’s eruptions.
He said that the EU and Indonesia's bilateral relations had reached €20 billion (US$28.8 billion).
At the celebration, the guests enjoyed traditional European food like French seafood, Hungarian goulash soup and Spanish empanadillas. The guests also could enjoy French and Italian red and white wines.
Some guests attended the dinner donned in their national costumes, including the famous Scottish kilt. (lfr)