Europalia Festival Attracts Tourists to Indonesia

Brussels, (MINA) – Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has said that there was a follow-up to be done following the end of the art festival of Indonesia Europalia in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday (21/1)

In this festival, Indonesia presented three themes of “Ancestor and Rituals” featured displays related to the ancestors, “Archipel” which shown off works related to maritime tradition in the country, and “Power and Other Things” about Indonesia and its art from 1835 to date. Other exhibits included music, movies and art performances, Republika reported.

Europalia, Muhadjir said, was held to spur an increase in tourist arrivals, especially from Belgium to Indonesia. From the beginning, the Government of Indonesia has sought to utilize this Europalia event optimally. He also has the impression of extraordinary public welcome and enthusiasm of visitors to enjoy the culture and art of Indonesia during the festival.

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“Europalia’s follow-up could be seen from the intensity we marketed Indonesia,” Muhadjir said in a meeting with the Indonesian community at the embassy in Brussels, Belgium, Saturday (20/1) night.

He hopes there is a spike in the number of European tourists to Indonesia after the Europalia.

Indonesia is also currently intensively building infrastructure and transportation network to various tourist destinations. Moreover, until now the government is constantly promoting 10 leading tourist destinations. Facilities to various tourism destinations, said Muhadjir, are upgraded and the airports are also built to be easily accessible to tourists.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is also preparing a calendar of cultural events. “We want every tourist can take advantage of the calendar event during their stay in the country,” said Muhadjir. In addition to culture, he said, tourists can enjoy sea tourism and beaches that are widely available in Indonesia.

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According Muhadjir, the improvement of the tourism sector can be a mainstay of Indonesia to get foreign exchange, replacing the palm oil sector to Europe, for example. Currently, he said, Europe questioned palm products exported by Indonesia. He believed that tourism can be a beneficial alternative for Indonesia. (TL/P2/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)