W

ith more than 294 exhibits and shows spread over 45 cities in seven countries, the Europalia Arts Festival Indonesia will finally give Belgium and other parts of Europe a long overdue immersion in Indonesian culture.

Since Tuesday Indonesia has been the guest of honor of the 26th Europalia Festival, a showcase of art and culture dedicated to a different chosen nation every time it is held. It is the largest event of its kind in Europe and takes place once every two years.

Indonesia is the first Southeast Asian nation to be the guest of honor for the Europalia Arts Festival since it was established in 1969. It is the fourth Asian nation. Japan, China and India were the first three. This will also be one of the largest festivals sponsored by the Indonesian government in recent history. As guest of honor, Indonesia is paying costs of about Rp 160 billion (US$11.9 million).

Vice President Jusuf Kalla said he is hopeful that this investment will pay off. During an interview on Tuesday he said “Europalia [is] the bridge for creating people-to-people networks and closer ties between Indonesia and Europe.”

“Understanding culture will always result in better people-to-people connections,” he said during a speech earlier that day.

“We want to show the world an Indonesia that is pluralistic, democratic, diverse and home to so many different people and religions,” said Foreign Minister Retno in an interview on Tuesday.

King Philippe of Belgium was eager to celebrate the long-awaited showcase of Indonesian art.

“The Europalia festival will no doubt constitute a breeding ground for deeper mutual understanding and respect. They will for sure reinforce the basis for deepening cooperation in many fields,” Philippe said in a speech on Tuesday. “Europalia will showcase the diversity of your talents […] and I’m sure Belgians and Europeans will by the end recognize the Indonesian identity through the most beautiful [way].”

He and all preceding Belgian monarchs of the past century have reportedly visited Indonesia at least once in their lifetimes.

Both Kalla and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi took the opportunity to promote Indonesia’s economic stability and potential.

“Indonesia’s economy is stable and also open and competitive. We are prepared to welcome new businesses and foreign investments,” Kalla said on Tuesday.

Retno painted Indonesia as “a place to visit as tourists, invest in as businessmen, be your second home,” during her speech in Tuesday’s opening ceremonies.

The expo held in the Bozar Center for Fine Arts in Brussels is centered on the theme of Ancestors and Rituals, displaying one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the diversity of Indonesia’s cultures and also the interactions between them. A number of the chosen works resulted from interactions and conflicts between religions and external cultures.

The director general of culture at the Culture and Education Ministry, Hilmar Farid, said on Tuesday that all of the works on display are originals.

Each piece was carefully guarded and protected throughout the entire process of relocation.

The Europalia Arts Festival Indonesia runs until Jan. 21, 2018.