Indonesian Embassy In Brussels Holds Asia Pacific Festival

LONDON, UK, May 9 (Antara) - The Asia Pacific Women Association (APWA), which consists of diplomats' wives in Belgium, has held a Spring Festival by exhibiting handicrafts as well as introducing specialty cuisine, and displaying traditional art works. The Spring Festival held at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia on May 6 was participated by Asia Pacific countries, namely Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Nepal, New Zealand, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mauritius, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Fiji , a statement from the Embassy in Brussels, received by Antara here on Monday. Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium Yuri Thamrin said the festival enriched the treasures of multiculturalism in the heart of Europe, Brussels. He stated that Indonesia in the Asia Pacific region has become part of Brussels's multiculturalism, and hoped that the event coulc bring the region closer to the Belgian people. Meanwhile, APWA's President Sandra Thamrin, explained the Asia Pacific region provides its own color as Brussels is the capital of the European Union and an international city. She said in addition to celebrating cultural diversity, the event also raised funds for local charities, Armée du Salut and the other ones in Indonesia. The event was visited by visitors from various Asia-Pacific countries who live in Brussels and the local people. Brussels is a home for 180 nationalities, 108 languages, and more than 55 percent of its population were born outside Belgium. With 5,400 diplomats, the city which the headquarters of international organizations such as the European Union, NATO and the European Space Agency, is the city with the highest number of diplomats in the world.