LAHORE: The Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Adam Tugio, emphasized the significance of distinctive cultural and historic heritage as a treasure shared between Pakistan and Indonesia.
During the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition titled “A Night at Lahore Museum: Tracing the Confluence of Civilizations Between Indonesia and Pakistan,” jointly organized by the Indonesian Embassy and Lahore Museum, Tugio captivated the audience with a spectacular display of ancient cultural connectivity through meticulously selected photographs.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Tugio acknowledged that Indonesia and Pakistan are heirs to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a rich history of religious and cultural communication. The exhibition aimed to highlight cross-regional cultural influences by showcasing selected photographs and videos of artifacts, sculptures, and inscriptions from both countries.
“There is a long list of striking similarities between the two brotherly nations, ranging from cuisine and ancient healing practices to religious traditions and cultural norms, encompassing ancient history and modern civilization,” stated Tugio.
Elaborating on early historic inter-regional connectivity, the Indonesian envoy pointed out that the ancient Gandhara region, primarily located in present-day Pakistan’s North West region, served as a melting pot of different civilizations. Tugio added, “The spread of Buddhist and Islamic civilization to the Indonesian archipelago is also attributed to the influence of Gandhara civilization.”
Ambassador Tugio expressed his gratitude to the Lahore Museum for their generous support and extended a warm invitation to Pakistani friends to visit the exhibition, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage shared by the two Muslim brotherly countries.
Academic Linkages Between Pakistan and Indonesia
Professor Dr. Javed Akram, Punjab’s Minister of Health, attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest and commended the embassy’s initiative to promote the shared cultural heritage. He emphasized the need to strengthen academic linkages and people-to-people contacts to fully realize the benefits of the strong bonds of friendship between Indonesia and Pakistan.
The week-long exhibition provides a fresh perspective on the cross-regional interaction between the two largest Muslim-populated countries, spanning from the past to the present. Open to the public until June 24th at the Lahore Museum, the exhibition offers an interactive display that allows visitors to trace the confluence of civilization between Indonesia and Pakistan in various ways.
Additionally, the exhibition showcases spices and popular products from Indonesia with the kind support of Indomie, the largest food producer in Indonesia operating in Faisalabad, further enhancing the cultural experience for attendees.
