The Excitement of Attending The 101st Anniversary of Azerbaijan

It such an honor to be invited by Azerbaijan Embassy to celebrate the 101st Anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The celebration was held in Bali Room, Kempinski Hotel Jakarta (April 29, 2019).

This was my second time to attend the celebration. Last year, I still remembered there were so many guests invited includes Ustaz Yusuf Mansyur. This year I also see many popular people such as actress Widiyawati, a politician of Golkar Party Meutya Hafid, and also Sofyan A Djalil, Minister of Land and Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia.

Surprisingly, Ruslan Nasibov, Deputy Ambassador of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic for Indonesia, still remembered me. He welcomed warmly all the guest in the gate. I met him twice on the same occasion and once in his office.

Azerbaijan / dok.pribadi

In his welcoming speech, Ruslan said that they also celebrate 100 years of Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Today, they have over than 70 diplomatic mission abroad. It was signed by President of Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev as an order on Diplomatic Service Day to be celebrated on every July 9.

"Indonesia is a brotherly and friendly country to Us" said Ruslan.

Yes, I think Indonesia could learn to Azerbaijan how the live in diversity. Azerbaijan is a multicultural country. All ethnic and religious groups live in Azerbaijan in peace and harmony.

Sadly, today Indonesia is divided by political issues. Yes, we could unite again if we want to learn from Azerbaijan, how this county which has the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world could live in harmony.

The celebration of 101st Anniversary of Azerbaijan / dok.pribadi

The relation between Indonesia and Azerbaijan started in 1992. These two countries have high-level political relations based on the principles of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation.

I think there is a similarity between Indonesia and Azerbaijan struggling in poverty. In the last fifteen years, the level of poverty dropped to 5,4 percent, the economy grew more than there times. With the population reached 10 million people the could live well. While Indonesia with 267 million people, could drop poverty into 9,82 percent in 2018.

The good news, PT Pos Indonesia launched special stamp on the occasion of 100 years the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This would be great collectible items for stamp's collectors.

Sanubar Malikzade, student form Azerbaijan / dok.pribadi

Indonesia and Azerbaijan also just started bilateral cooperation in the energy field. The MOU just signed between SOCAR and Pertamina. There are still many opportunities that could be explored in investment, trade, tourism, transit, and transportation, education and culture, and others.

As you know in celebration, there are so many delicious foods that you could taste.  Mostly, special food from Azerbaijan such as tandir bread, red bean salad fisinjan with pomegranate, and also baklava.

tandir bread / dok.pribadi

But I just only interested in Kebab hahahaha. It such a mainstream culinary if I went abroad to find halal food. The taste is really good. I do enjoy the fruits.

most favorite food / dok.pribadi

Unfortunately, there is no traditional music this year. Luckily, I enjoyed their traditional dance and music last year.

Baklava, Azerbaijan recipe / dok.pribadi

But, something special this year is I could interview Sanubar Malikzade (21 years old), a student from Azerbaijan who has been studying Indonesian Language in UNY (Yogyakarta State University). She could speak Indonesian well. So, I could interview her in Indonesian easily.

red bean salad fisinjan with pomegranate / dok.pribadi

Sanubar has been in Indonesia for 7 months. She is taking a short course for a year only to study Bahasa Indonesia. She also happy to attend the celebration for the first time in Jakarta. She could taste her food from her townhome.

Orang Desa diundang Dubes Azerbaijan / dok.pribadi

Hopefully, someday I could go to Azerbaijan.