The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Ukraine, together with the National Academy of Culture and Arts Management (NAKAKIM), held a formal reception in Kyiv to mark National Batik Day, recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The event was attended by about 150 guests, including representatives of the diplomatic corps, government authorities, students, and the scientific community.
In his welcoming speech, Arif Muhammad Basalamah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Ukraine, noted that batik is not just a fabric, but a cultural heritage that embodies the history, values, and identity of the Indonesian people.
“Batik is a story of harmony, creativity, and wisdom passed down through generations. By wearing batik, we carry within ourselves values and identity that have been nurtured for centuries,” the diplomat emphasized.
NAKKKiM Rector Valery Marchenko congratulated the Indonesian delegation and awarded the ambassador the title of Honorary Professor of the Academy, noting the importance of cultural exchange and further development of academic cooperation.
The program of the celebration included a presentation on batik, dance and vocal performances by students, as well as the performance of the national anthems of Indonesia and Ukraine on the Ukrainian bandura. An exhibition of batik and the tools used to create it was organized in the university lobby. The event concluded with a tasting of traditional Indonesian dishes—nasi goreng, mie goreng, bakwan, and kue lumpur.
Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Indonesia were established on June 5, 1992. The Ukrainian Embassy in Jakarta opened in 1995, and the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv began operating in 1994.
In recent years, the countries have also been developing cooperation in the fields of education, culture, and tourism. In 2024–2025, Indonesia signed two protocols on market access for Ukrainian products — peas and aquatic biological resources — which should stimulate further growth in trade in agricultural products.
