The Experiences of the Two Countries Can Be a Valuable Lesson for One Another

His Excellency Mr. Broto Utomo – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia

HE Broto Utomo was born on September 16, 1947 in Surakarta,Indonesia.
Graduated from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, International Relations Dept., University of Gajah Mada, Jogyakarta (1974).

Post Grade Programme San Francisco University (1975); graduated from Institute Internacionale d'Adminstration Public, Paris (1979); Post Grade Programme SOAS, London University (1982).

On his long professional career list are years of service at the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Service Corps: Attache and later Third Secretary, Indonesian Embassy, London (1981-1985); Vice Consul, Indonesian Consulate in Melbourne (1989-1993); Counsellor and later Minister Counsellor; Indonesian Embassy, Washington DC (1995-1999); Deputy Chief of Mission, Indonesian Embassy, Bangkok (2002– 2004).

Since February 18, 2004 – Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria.
Member of Indonesian delegations to the ASEAN, ASEM, APEC and ESCAP meetings; Member of delegations to bilateral meetings between Indonesia and European and African countries.
HE is catholic. Married, one daughter.

The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria can serve as an example for a number of countries. What are the perspectives for the development of these many-sided relations between the two states?
It is an undeniably historical fact that Indonesia and Bulgaria share a feeling of fraternity and traditional friendship that has been entangled since long. More than 40 years ago the founding father and the first President of Indonesia, Mr. Soekarno, paid a memorable visit to Bulgaria that laid the foundations of our friendly bilateral relations.

In September two years ago, His Excellency President Georgi Parvanov also paid a state visit to Indonesia which has paved the way, and opened a wider avenue for the improvement of relations between both our peoples and nations. The visit has given an opportunity to begin translating the vast untapped potentials of our cooperation into concrete realities that will benefit our respective peoples.

It is particularly gratifying to note that many aspects of the bilateral relations between our two countries have been mutually enjoyed in the expression of close friendship, deep understanding, which, I am convinced, could still be further bolstered up and enhanced into a more vivid and broader scope of cooperation in the realms of political, trade, economic, techno-scientific, and socio-cultural development in the years to come.

Indonesia and Bulgaria also share some similarities. Both play important roles in their respective regions, Indonesia in Southeast Asia and Bulgaria in the Balkan and Central and Eastern Europe. The two countries are now undergoing transition to more democratic states, and are now staging toward a more dynamic and market oriented economy.

Indonesia is famous for its seacoast resorts. Bulgaria too is successful in the seacoast and mountain tourism. What are the opportunities for cooperation in this particular field-tourism?
We are well aware that there is much potency that can be further developed for cooperation and tourism is one of the most potential.

In this respect, our two governments are now deliberating a memorandum of understanding as the foundation for enhancing a better cooperation in the tourism sector. This memorandum of understanding is expected to be a basis for exchanging experience and information on how to develop tourism industry as well as facilitating the free flow of the tourists from Bulgaria to Indonesia and vice versa. I am confident that the experiences of the two countries in developing their tourism sector can be a valuable lesson for one another.

Your country has rich cultural traditions. Are there any projects for new cultural exchange between Bulgaria and Indonesia?
Since I came here early 2004, I have been aware that, like Indonesian, Bulgarian people have also a fashion of art and culture. It has motivated me to further promote the cultural understanding between the two countries, as one of my priorities in Bulgaria.

Accordingly, for the last two years, I have organized and participated in several events in order to promote the Indonesian cultural heritage, such as traditional dances, customs, culinary as well as woven art, to the people of Bulgaria. In cooperation with several municipalities, I had toured a couple of cities and towns in Bulgaria with my cultural troupes. And it is heartening to note that wherever we go we receive warm welcome, hospitality and respect from the locals.

A couple of years ago Bali hosted an International Mask Festival The city of Pernik is famous for a similar initiative here in Bulgaria. Do these cities know about each other?
One of the challenges I have to encounter during my assignment here is that Bulgarian people do not know very much about Indonesia. However, Bali as our tourism mascot is one of the exceptions. The beauty of Bali is quite popular among Bulgarian. Although the number of the Bulgarian tourists to Indonesia are not yet significant, but there are gradual increase in number.

Until now there has not yet been a formal direct contact between Bali and Pernik. I do hope that during my assignment here, I will be able to promote more direct contacts for cooperation between our cities. As an example, we are now anticipating the establishment of a sister city cooperation between Municipality of Montana and Municipality of Surakarta in Eastern Java.

In Bulgaria there is an ancient tradition of fire dancing, similar to the fire games in Indonesia. Have the people in your country heard of this tradition?

Indonesia is rich with a variety of unique cultures and traditions. A fire dancing which can be found in Bulgaria can also be found in some ethnics in Indonesia. In Banten, a province close to Jakarta, for example, there is a martial art called “Debus”, in which the performer can walk on fire and even can fry an egg without fire only using his head as the stove. Nevertheless, I think the fire dancing of Bulgaria is not yet very popular among our people.

Tell us more about your country. What of Indonesia would be interesting to the Bulgarians?
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world consisting of more than 17,508 islands. Our archipelago is located on a crossroads between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, and bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This strategic position has always influenced the cultural, social, political and economic life of the country.

Indonesia is famous as one of the most diverse countries in the world. A variety of beautiful flora, unique fauna, tropical forests, and exotic tourist destinations can be found there. Every region and sub region in Indonesia has its own distinct cultures, habits, languages, architectural houses, and even cuisines. In term of population, Indonesia is the forth most populous nation in the world with the total number of 220 million people.

There are encouraging developments on the perception of Bulgaria toward Indonesia. I have visited almost all the important cities and towns of Bulgaria and in many occasions with my cultural troupes. It is heartening to note that more and more Bulgarians are now interested in our unique culture and the beauty as well as the diversity of our country.

What did you discover for yourself in Bulgaria? Has our country surprised you with something?
It is my privilege and honour to be assigned as the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Bulgaria. I am happy to find out that Bulgaria is famous with its old civilization, rich historical heritage and high cultural values. Bulgaria also has a natural beauty, the landscape, panorama, and geographical location are wonderful. And like Indonesia, Bulgaria has beautiful mountains and lakes as well.