Prabowo Hosts Gala Dinner for Macron at Presidential Palace
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto hosted a gala dinner to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. The gala dinner began at 9:15 PM, attended by several members of the Red and White Cabinet, including Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani, Foreign Minister Sugiono, and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. They wore dark blue suits, white shirts and light blue ties.
During the gala dinner, Prabowo invited participants to raise a toast to Macron's health. Didit Prabowo accompanied the President. The four of them walked on a light blue carpet laid across the room before greeting members of the Red and White Cabinet and the French delegation. They then sat at a dining table surrounded by nine chairs, with Prabowo and Macron seated next to each other facing the stage. Brigitte Macron and Didit Prabowo sat to Prabowo's left, whilst Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin sat to Macron's right.
In his speech, Prabowo stated that the Indonesian and French governments had engaged in intensive and productive discussions that day, with both heads of state committed to continued cooperation. "Viva la France, Viva la Indonesia," said Prabowo.
President Macron noted that many French artists have found inspiration in Indonesian culture and beauty. He praised the hospitality of the Indonesian people and said the closeness between France and Indonesia is not a coincidence, noting that despite the 12,000-kilometre distance between their capitals, the two nations are connected by history and destiny.
"For two centuries, travellers, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers have admired your country," said Macron. He mentioned renowned poet Arthur Rimbaud, who described his travels around Semarang, Tuntang and Salatiga, and Romantic music composer Claude Debussy, who was captivated by the sound of Sundanese gamelan during the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution in Paris in 1889. "He drew inspiration from it, infusing the poetry of your archipelago into Western music," said Macron.
Macron also shared the Indonesian proverb "Sedikit demi sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit" (consistent minor efforts will generate results) with Prabowo, suggesting that the friendship between France and Indonesia will gradually strengthen. Prabowo responded with a smile and applause.
"Sedikit demi sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit, as the Indonesian proverb says. And little by little, year by year, our friendship has grown higher," Macron said.
During the gala dinner, Prabowo invited participants to raise a toast to Macron's health. Didit Prabowo accompanied the President. The four of them walked on a light blue carpet laid across the room before greeting members of the Red and White Cabinet and the French delegation. They then sat at a dining table surrounded by nine chairs, with Prabowo and Macron seated next to each other facing the stage. Brigitte Macron and Didit Prabowo sat to Prabowo's left, whilst Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin sat to Macron's right.
In his speech, Prabowo stated that the Indonesian and French governments had engaged in intensive and productive discussions that day, with both heads of state committed to continued cooperation. "Viva la France, Viva la Indonesia," said Prabowo.
President Macron noted that many French artists have found inspiration in Indonesian culture and beauty. He praised the hospitality of the Indonesian people and said the closeness between France and Indonesia is not a coincidence, noting that despite the 12,000-kilometre distance between their capitals, the two nations are connected by history and destiny.
"For two centuries, travellers, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers have admired your country," said Macron. He mentioned renowned poet Arthur Rimbaud, who described his travels around Semarang, Tuntang and Salatiga, and Romantic music composer Claude Debussy, who was captivated by the sound of Sundanese gamelan during the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution in Paris in 1889. "He drew inspiration from it, infusing the poetry of your archipelago into Western music," said Macron.
Macron also shared the Indonesian proverb "Sedikit demi sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit" (consistent minor efforts will generate results) with Prabowo, suggesting that the friendship between France and Indonesia will gradually strengthen. Prabowo responded with a smile and applause.
"Sedikit demi sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit, as the Indonesian proverb says. And little by little, year by year, our friendship has grown higher," Macron said.