TEMPO


 

After previously holding exhibitions themed around the culture and history of Srivijaya in December 2023 and Majapahit in February 2024, the Indonesia Embassy in Tokyo once again showcases the diversity of Indonesian culture in Japan through an exhibition titled "Batanghari River in History Civilization" held from June 17 to 23, 2024.

This event is a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, the Directorate General of Culture, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, and Serumpun Bumi Melayu.

Indonesian Ambassador Heri Akhmadi inaugurated the exhibition on June 17, 2024. Present at the opening were the Egyptian Ambassador to Japan and diplomatic representatives from the United States, China, the Philippines, and Laos. 

In his speech, Ambassador Heri emphasized that Batanghari has played an important role in fostering cultural exchanges and enriching Indonesian art traditions throughout the history of Indonesia's relations with the outside world.

"Geographically located in Jambi, Batanghari has been a channel for cultural exchange and human endeavor, from ancient trade networks to modern artistic expression,” he said, as quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 20, 2024.

“The area around the Batanghari River has also been a melting pot for many religions in Indonesia, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other local beliefs." 

"I hope this exhibition will inspire many people, including the Japanese, to visit Indonesia, including the Batanghari region," the ambassador added.

Representative of the Serumpun Bumi Melayu Sativa Sutan Aswar stated that Batanghari is one of the centers of civilization in Indonesia that has influenced and been influenced by many other cultures. Batanghari’s textiles have been significantly influenced by Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures through maritime routes and the spice trade.

The exhibition showcases various Batanghari crafts, including porcelain plates, traditional textiles, silk kebaya dresses, and Batanghari's signature foods, such as Gandus cake. Also displayed are artifacts discovered during the excavation for the MRT line construction in Jakarta.

In addition to the exhibition, the Indonesian Embassy is holding several seminars related to Batanghari's culture and history from June 18-21, 2024.