Indonesia and Norway strengthen ties through music and diplomacy
Indonesian Ambassador to Norway and Iceland Teuku Faizasyah highlighted the closeness between music and diplomacy at the Indonesian Cultural Night held in Oslo on Monday (24/8), as part of Indonesia’s diplomatic reception series.
“Music and diplomacy both rely on verbal and non-verbal communication, the ability to listen carefully, and finding harmony among different voices to bridge differences,” Ambassador Faizasyah said in his remarks, according to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo on Tuesday (25/8).
According to Faizasyah, both require the ability to listen, understand differences, and find harmony.
Faizasyah considered this spirit increasingly relevant amid global turmoil, rising geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty.
The current world situation, he said, further underscores the importance of building mutual understanding, maintaining constructive dialogue, and strengthening trust between nations.
In the bilateral context, Ambassador Faizasyah affirmed that Indonesia and Norway have a strong foundation of partnership based on openness, dialogue, and mutual respect.
As two democracies, both also share a commitment to democracy and human rights, as well as similar views on the importance of multilateral cooperation and respect for international law in addressing various global challenges.
According to Faizasyah, these shared values are important capital for continuing to strengthen Indonesia–Norway relations, including through dialogue, various forms of cooperation, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
“At 81 years of Indonesia’s independence, we look to the future with full confidence and optimism,” Faizasyah said.
Indonesia, he said, remains committed to working closely with Norway and all partners to deepen dialogue, strengthen cooperation in various forums, including people-to-people relations, and contribute to a more peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous world.
Meanwhile, State Secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment, Kristofer André Hansen, who attended as guest of honour, highlighted the growing Indonesia–Norway relationship since official diplomatic relations were opened in 1950.
The partnership between the two countries now covers various strategic fields, from climate and forestry, marine affairs, energy, trade and investment, to human rights, peace, and multilateral cooperation. Hansen particularly appreciated Indonesia’s achievements in reducing deforestation and protecting tropical forests.
Amid various global challenges, the Indonesia–Norway partnership, he said, remains based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and the belief that both countries will be stronger by working together.
Taking inspiration from the jazz stage where the event took place, Hansen described the spirit of cooperation through harmony in music.
“Harmony is not created from identical voices, but from different voices that listen to each other, respond with trust, and find a shared rhythm,” Hansen said.
Through the Indonesian Cultural Night: “Strings of Equator – A Musical Journey to Indonesia,” the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo brought the diversity of Indonesian music to the stage of the Victoria National Jazz Scene.
Enlivened by Tantowi Yahya and the Thomshell Band, the event not only introduced the richness of Indonesian music but also invited guests to sing and dance together.
The Indonesian Cultural Night was a diplomatic reception that formed part of the series of events commemorating the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia organised by the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo. Around 200 guests from the diplomatic corps, the Norwegian government, the business community, Norwegian society, and the Indonesian diaspora filled the renowned jazz stage in Oslo.