RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Hungary is strengthening people-to-people ties with Indonesia through cultural diplomacy, bringing its traditions closer to Southeast Asian audiences with a week-long showcase in Surabaya, East Java.

Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia Lilla Karsay said the Hungarian cultural week highlights folklore, music, cuisine, and fashion as part of efforts to deepen bilateral relations beyond politics and economics.

“The event, featuring folklore stories, music, culinary arts, and fashion, is the first of its kind in Surabaya, and we are trying to bring as much of our culture as possible,” Karsay said after the Hungarian Folklore Music Concert at Balai Pemuda Theater Hall on Sunday, March 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She noted that culture serves as an effective bridge to overcome differences, given its universal appeal. Music, she added, reflects Hungary’s national identity, combining both cheerful and melancholic elements.

The event was supported by Hungary’s Ministry of Agriculture, bringing a 16-member delegation including chefs, fashion designers, and artists. Karsay said geographical distance, around 10,000 kilometers between the two countries, does not hinder efforts to build closer ties through cultural exchange.

She also highlighted Surabaya’s strategic role in expanding cooperation beyond Jakarta and Bali, adding that the European Union Center at Airlangga University has contributed to academic collaboration through books and programs.

Hungary is also seeking to strengthen education ties through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, which offers 110 scholarships annually to Indonesian students across various fields. “We are an open and friendly country, and we value our good relations with Indonesia, especially Surabaya,” she concluded. ***