TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto hosted a gala dinner to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
As observed by Tempo on location, the gala dinner began at 09:15 PM. Several members of the Red and White Cabinet attended, such as Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra.
There were also Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani, Foreign Minister Sugiono, and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. They wore dark blue suits, white shirts, and light blue ties.
Prabowo Invites Gala Dinner Participants to Raise a Toast to Macron's Health
During the gala dinner, Prabowo invited the participants to raise a toast to Macron's health. Didit Prabowo accompanied Prabowo. The four of them then walked on a light blue carpet laid across the room. They proceeded to greet several members of the Red and White Cabinet and the French delegation.
After this moment, they sat at a dining table with a white tablecloth. The table was already set with cutlery and a floral arrangement in the middle. Nine chairs surrounded the dining table.
Prabowo and Macron sat next to each other, facing the stage. Brigitte Macron and Didit Prabowo sat to Prabowo's left. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin sat to Macron's right.
The gala dinner commenced. In his speech, Prabowo stated that the Indonesian and French governments had engaged in intensive and productive discussions that day. The two heads of state are both committed to continued cooperation.
The Indonesian President invited the gala dinner participants to raise a toast to Macron and his wife's health. He then hailed the glory of Indonesia and France. "Viva la France, Viva la Indonesia (Long live France, Long live Indonesia)," said Prabowo.
Macron Mentions Many French Artists Fascinated by Indonesian Culture and Beauty
President Emmanuel Macron noted that many French artists have found inspiration in Indonesian culture and beauty during a dinner at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on May 28, 2025.
In front of President Prabowo Subianto, Macron praised the hospitality and reception of the Indonesian people during his visit. He said the closeness between France and Indonesia is not a coincidence. He mentioned that despite the 12,000-kilometer distance between the capitals of France and Indonesia, the two are connected by history and destiny.
"For two centuries, travelers, artists, entrepreneurs, and researchers have admired your country," said Macron during the gala dinner at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on May 28, 2025.
Macron mentioned a list of famous French writers, composers, and photographers. For example, the renowned poet Arthur Rimbaud described his travels around Semarang, Tuntang, and Salatiga. Then the Romantic music composer Claude Debussy 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.
Emmanuel Macron Shares an Indonesian Proverb with Prabowo
Emmanuel Macron shared the Indonesian proverb "Sedikit demi sedikit lama-lama menjadi bukit" (Consistent minor efforts will generate results) with President Prabowo Subianto during the dinner at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
According to Macron, the friendship between the French government and Indonesia will gradually strengthen. Prabowo responded to this proverb 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," he said at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Eka Yudha Saputra and Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article
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