Travelogue evening “Indonesia – a distant, close country”
In the Arts Department Reading Room of the Belgrade City Library, it was organized, on May the 11th 2023, the travelogue evening “Indonesia – a distant, close country”, by the author Stevan Buković, a physician and writer. To lovers of travel, but also to everyone who is interested in exotic lands and customs, culture, tradition, religion and everyday life of other peoples, he presented a plethora of impressions and interesting facts.
This was a kind of a walk-through the landscapes of unique Indonesia, which captivates with its natural beauty, which has an exceptional cultural and historical heritage.
Buković emphasised particular attention to the temples in Bali and Java, of which he singled out Prambanan and Borobudur. For a long time, they have been buried in the ashes of volcanoes, of which there are more than 300 in this country. The life of Indonesians is in the shadows of the volcanoes. They are in constant anxiety and thus devoted to prayer. In such an environment, the Balinese build temples in their own yards and homes, convinced that in this way the Almighty protects them from the temper of the volcanoes – explains Dr. Stevan and notes that these temples are decorated today and represent the real architectural beauty of the Middle Ages of Hinduism and Buddhism in Indonesia.
The inhabitants of this country love music and the dance of fire. Their costumes and traditional clothes are colourful. And their cuisine is rich in different specialties, and the dishes are given a special aroma by unusual natural spices. It is also worth noting the good relations between Indonesia and Serbia and the long-term friendship between our two peoples. This is supported by the activities of the Society of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship “Nusantara”, whose Secretary General is Marko Jelić. They also organized this cultural event, marking twenty years of their existence. Jelić was also the moderator of this program.
Among the numerous dignitaries and members of “Nusantara” was the Ambassador of Indonesia to Serbia, Mochammad Chandra Widya Yhuda, with his associates.
Aleksandra Kurteš
Photographs: Vladimir Ilić
