On 11 November 2025, H. E. Mrs. Listiana Operananta, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Bulgaria,

and Mr. Aldrian Munanto hosted a reception on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and to mark nearly seven decades of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria.

The event took place at the National Gallery/Kvadrat 500 and brought together diplomats, representatives of state institutions and international organizations, business leaders, media, and friends of Indonesia in Bulgaria. Among the attendees was Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikolay Pavlov, who was the evening’s guest of honor.

The evening celebrated not only Indonesia’s national day but also the long-standing friendship and growing partnership between the two nations.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Listiana Operananta expressed appreciation for the strong and enduring friendship between Indonesia and Bulgaria. She noted that the year 2025 holds a special meaning, marking both Indonesia’s 80th year of independence and the 69th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries.

"Indonesia and Bulgaria have built a relationship grounded in mutual respect and shared values. Our cooperation continues to expand — not only in trade and culture but also in new and promising areas such as digital innovation, education, and tourism," Ambassador Operananta stated.

The Ambassador also underlined the positive growth in bilateral trade, which reached approximately USD 476 million in 2024, and encouraged both countries to continue exploring opportunities in innovation, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. She further highlighted the success of cultural and educational cooperation, including the Indonesian language program at Sofia University and various scholarship opportunities offered to Bulgarian students.

In his response, Deputy Minister Pavlov congratulated Indonesia on its 80th Independence Anniversary and reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Indonesia. "Indonesia is an important partner for Bulgaria in Southeast Asia, with whom we share the values of democracy, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order," he said.

Pavlov recalled his recent working visit to Indonesia, where he met with Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno, business leaders from KADIN Indonesia, and the Governor of Denpasar. He emphasized that both countries are exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, tourism, science, logistics, and digital technology.

He also expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality he experienced in Indonesia, calling it "a memorable reflection of the friendship and goodwill between our peoples." Pavlov reiterated Bulgaria’s readiness to work closely with Indonesia both bilaterally and through multilateral platforms, including EU–Indonesia and EU–ASEAN cooperation frameworks.

Following the speeches, the Ambassador and Deputy Minister led a toast to the peace and prosperity of both nations and to the continued friendship between the peoples of Indonesia and Bulgaria.

The evening featured vibrant cultural performances, including traditional dances from Kalimantan, performed jointly by Indonesian and Bulgarian dancers from the Pesona Mawar Nusantara (PMN) group, and a pencak silat martial arts demonstration by a Bulgarian school. A special musical performance by Cambodian Ambassador H. E. Dr. Chea Chanboribo, who played the saxophone rendition of "Bengawan Solo" and "Good Bye Bogor", added a heartfelt surprise to the celebration.

Guests were treated to a rich selection of Indonesian and international cuisines, offering an authentic taste of the archipelago’s diverse culinary heritage.

The reception concluded with optimism as both nations look forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening friendship, cooperation, and mutual prosperity.

The material was provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the Republic of Bulgaria.

In the photo above: H. E. Mrs. Listiana Operananta, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the Republic of Bulgaria, and Mr. Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, raise a toast to the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and the 69th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.