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Asiad Corner: Sport diplomacy for Asian countries
Asian Games spirit: Two of the 2018 Asian Games mascots, Kal (left) and Atung (right), lead the parade during the Asian Festival in Sofia in May
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sian Games spirit: Two of the 2018 Asian Games mascots, Kal (left) and Atung (right), lead the parade during the Asian Festival in Sofia in May. Indonesia took the opportunity of the annual festival, to promote the Asian Games in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. (Courtesy of the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia)
Cultural diplomacy is one of the major tools that a country can explore to obtain interests and promote world peace and dialogue. My involvement in many art and culture activities over the years has strengthened this conviction.
Putting cultural diplomacy into practice posed a real challenge when I was assigned as Indonesian ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia in 2016.
Bulgaria, a country in the Balkan region, Southeast Europe, has beautiful, untouched nature, rich with cultural heritage and considered the cradle of the Western civilization. It is also branded as a cultural site of Europe. Excavations of remnants from the past and historical sites dot Sofia and other cities in Bulgaria. Old traditions, arts, crafts and performances are well preserved to the present day.
Indonesia shares the same richness of cultural heritage. Therefore, cultural diplomacy can serve as an entry point to Indonesian diplomacy in Bulgaria.
To bring Bulgaria closer to Asia, the Indonesian Embassy invited all Asian heads of mission in the Eastern European country for a gathering to discuss possibilities of holding regular dialogues not only to strengthen ties among Asian nations but also to promote the continent here.
As a result, the first edition of the Asian Festival was held in July 2017 in Sofia, with 12 Asian countries participating. Held at Borisova Garden, one of the centers of gravity of Sofia’s weekend activities, the event attracted 8,000 people.
The success of the Asian Festival not only brought togetherness among Asian missions but also created an awareness to establish a caucus of Asian ambassadors and heads of mission to meet regularly and discuss various issues of common concerns — cultural, political, economic and social. The Asian Ambassadors Forum in Sofia usually invites guests of honor from the Bulgarian government in their regular lunch meetings. The forum allows us to exchange and get in touch with the latest development in the country and the region.
During our Asian Lunch Meeting in March of this year, we had the privilege of having a special guest of honor, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who witnessed the rare event of the North Korean and South Korean ambassadors seated at the same table. It came just one month before the historic summit of the two Korean leaders in Panmunjom.
As part of our commitment to promote the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, the Indonesian Embassy brought the spirit of “Energy of Asia” to the Sofia Asian Festival last May. The initiative was supported by 14 Asian countries participating in the 2018 Asian Games: China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Palestine, Kuwait, Mongolia, Thailand and the Philippines.
To create the much-needed buzz for the Bulgarian and international audience, two weeks prior to the festival’s opening, we talked with leading TV and radio stations in special interviews about the Asian Festival 2018 and the 18th Asian Games.
President Radev, when opening the Asian Festival, acknowledged the importance of Asia and its connection with Europe as well as the rapid economic growth, strong tradition, values and rich cultural background of the region. The world is now looking to the east.
To bring the spirit of the Games, the three life-size animal icons — Kaka, Atung and Binbin — made an appearance. Various attractions from different Asian countries, such as cultural dances, music, fashion, culinary and martial art sports, added life to the festival.
The 22-strong Indonesian wrestling team, which was in Sofia for the training in preparation for the Asian Games, together with taekwondo, karate, Muay Thai and Mongolian acrobatics, were staged and exhibited among the performances.
Also joining the festival were the Indonesian bridge team bound for the Asian Games, which participated in the tournament in the Bulgarian city of Albena, and two Indonesian gymnasts who were in Sofia for training.
The festival was a testament to Indonesian cultural diplomacy to forge Asian solidarity and promote the Games, which Indonesia is hosting, to a larger audience. Indonesia has created a new form of togetherness among Asian nations and moved the colorful continent closer to Bulgaria and the Balkan region. A new Asian tradition is in the making in Bulgaria.
In the future, there will be no summer in Sofia without the Asian Festival, and history will show that there will be no Asian Festival in Sofia without Indonesia. Chestito (Congratulations) 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
— The writer is the Indonesian ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia.
