A real festival of the culture and the arts of Indonesia is going on in Sofia. Under the name "The Wonders of Indonesia 2017", it brings together for the first time fine art, sculptures, textiles, jewelery and artifacts from the world's largest archipelago into Sofia.

Everyone will have the opportunity to get a taste of the exotic country, through two exhibitions held in probably two of the best art spaces in Bulgaria.

From the 6th of October to the 12th of November at the National Gallery - "The Palace", visitors will be able to enjoy paintings from the collection of the Indonesian National Gallery and fine art of its best, by well-known Indonesian artists. 

While from the 6th of October to the 26th of November at Square 500, the audience can see a fine selection of antique and diverse hand-made textile (batik, ikat, songket, tenun), jewelery and artefacts.

The official opening of the festival was held on the 6th of October 2017 at Square 500 and was accompanied by a speach from H. E. Ms. Sri Astari Rasjid, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia in our country, on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the declaration of independence of Indonesia and the 61st anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between our two countries.

At the event, there was a traditional textile show, music, and Indonesian culinary with the opening dance presented by the Saman Gayo performers, of North Sumatra, which will be the official dance for the opening of the Indonesian Festival of "Europalia" on the 10th of October 2017. The evening continued with musical performances of different genres. The guests enjoyed the wonderful dishes of the famous Indonesian cuisine.

The first Indonesian festival in Bulgaria, promoting the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia, coincides in time (and exceeds it) with the European Festival of Arts "Europalia", whose focus this year is precisely this incredible country.

The presentation of "Wonders of Indonesia 2017" in Sofia was made possible thanks to the kind support of: on the Indonesian side - the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the National Gallery and the House of Charming Textiles; on the Bulgarian side - the National Gallery and the Ministry of Culture; and sponsors, including the general one - the National Bank of Indonesia.

More about Indonesia:

Indonesia is the 4th most inhabited country in the world, occupying huge territories between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean in the South-Eastern Hemisphere of the Earth. With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the largest archipelago inhabited by more than 300 different ethnic groups, with its unique cultures and over 700 living languages. The many islands of the tropical state hide seen and unseen beauty, and the state is the second most biodiversed in the world after Brazil. This is a young country that has attracted the Europeans for centuries. The exotic flavor of the food, the unknown aromas, the rich colors, the crowded streets, the noisy markets, the tranquility of the lush temples and the immense smile of the people, make Indonesia a paradise on earth.

Photos courtesy: "Diplomatic Spectrum" magazine and the embassy of the Republic of Indonesia