Indonesia | National Day

Embassy Network | 30th November 2017

Minister Retno LP Marsudi welcomes guests to the embassy opening

Minister Marsudi overseas the traditional cutting of the Tumpeng

The High Commissioner for Mozambique Filipe Chidumo and the High Commissioner for Brunei Maj Gen (Rtd) Dato Haji Aminuddin Ihsan

The Ambassador of Korea Hwang Joonkook and the Ambassador of Austria Martin Eichtinger

Bambangan Cakil dancers put on a beguiling performance at the opening ceremony and national day

Foreign Office Minister Alastair Burt delivers his speech

Minister Marsudi signs the new embassy’s epigraph as Indonesia Ambassador Rizal Sukma and Richard Graham MP, Trade Envoy to Indonesia look on

ASEAN heads of mission pose for a photo

Siswa Sukra Gamelan performance at the Indonesian National Day

The angklung ensemble, including the Ambassador’s wife, Mrs Hana Afija Satrijo, at the Indonesian National Day

Indonesia’s new home
Since Indonesia’s opening of its impressive new embassy in Great Peter Street it has been a hive of activity. The Ambassador has hosted a house warming party, National Day and several cultural events and seminars.

The opening set the tone for things to come, where guests were treated to local cuisine, Bambangan Cakil dancing and an angklung ensemble (including the Ambassador’s wife), who made British guests feel right at home with a rendition of the Beatle’s Obla di, olbla da.

Guest of honour, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi, said the new embassy symbolised Indonesia’s deepening relationship with the UK. “This building is at the heart of British politics,” she pointed out. “I hope it will be a home away from home for Indonesians and a bridge that connects our two countries.”

Foreign Office Minister Alastair Burt added: “There is no bigger sign of increasing cooperation between Indonesia and the UK than this larger Embassy building and our own new embassy in Jakarta.”

PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS/INDONESIAN EMBASSY