THE Indonesian Embassy in Fiji, in collaboration with the Fiji Arts Council, hosted a special cultural reception to preview the upcoming Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) 2025, set to take place in Indonesia later this month.
Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, expressed gratitude to the Fiji Arts Council for its long-standing partnership and emphasised the significance of the event.
“Our gathering this evening provides a special opportunity to share and celebrate our rich culture, traditions, friendship, and growing collaboration,” he said.
The reception served as a prelude to IPACs, which will bring together ministers, artists, and cultural enthusiasts from 16 countries and territories across the Pacific, along with Timor-Leste.
Simamora highlighted Indonesia’s role as a dialogue partner to the Pacific, emphasising knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and people-to-people exchange.
“Indonesia, like Fiji and the Pacific, holds deep respect for the relationship between people, culture, and nature,” he added.
As part of the preparations, two workshops co-organised by Indonesia and the Fiji Arts Council are currently underway, focusing on music, curation, and traditional wire and weaving arts. Two outstanding participants from these workshops will have the opportunity to visit Jakarta and attend IPACS, further strengthening cultural and professional ties.
Fiji’s Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu, who will lead Fiji’s delegation to the event in Indonesia, will address the ministerial forum.
Minister Vasu emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding, saying, “Our partnership with the Republic of Indonesia continues to grow through mutual respect and shared experiences that enrich both our nations. Cultural diplomacy, such as this, helps us see one another not just as neighbors, but as friends learning, sharing, and growing together.”
The upcoming Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy 2025 is expected to further deepen cultural ties, promote collaboration, and celebrate the shared traditions and values of Indonesia and its Pacific neighbors.