Development of Ukraine–Indonesia Cooperation in the Cultural and Humanitarian Sphere
The development of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Indonesia in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is one of the key elements of the overall bilateral relationship.
In 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Denpasar, Bali Province and the Bali International University, as well as between the Honorary Consulate and the Bali International Institute of Tourism and Business. In 2023, additional MoUs were signed between the Embassy of Ukraine and Trisakti University (Jakarta), and between the Embassy and Muhammadiyah University (Yogyakarta).
Thanks to close and productive cooperation between the Embassy and a number of Indonesian universities (including the Islamic University of Indonesia, Muhammadiyah University Jakarta, Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta, Trisakti University, and Bogor Agricultural University), Indonesian institutions offer special scholarships for Ukrainian students. In addition, the Government of Indonesia continues to provide scholarships for Ukrainians.
To further support Ukrainian students, the Ukrainian Global University has initiated cooperation with Trisakti University.
A notable example of successful cooperation is the introduction of the Indonesian language course at the Department of Eastern Languages, Institute of Philology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, in 2012.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, student exchanges took place under the Indonesian government’s Darmasiswa program (which provided higher education opportunities in Indonesia for Ukrainian students), as well as through the international non-governmental student exchange and volunteer organization AIESEC (which sent Indonesian students to Ukraine). During the 2019–2020 academic year, 31 Indonesian students studied in Ukraine (4 in higher education institutions and 27 in professional internships via AIESEC). From 2002 to 2020, a total of 143 Ukrainian students received Darmasiswa scholarships.
On October 19, 2021, the ASEAN Research Center was inaugurated at the Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, with the participation of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, university leadership, and ambassadors of ASEAN member states accredited in Ukraine (Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia). The center aims to promote cooperation among researchers and academics and strengthen humanitarian, educational, and people-to-people ties between Ukraine and ASEAN countries.
On the initiative of the Embassy of Ukraine in Indonesia, both sides are working on draft intergovernmental agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of science and education—particularly in terms of partnerships between Ukrainian and Indonesian universities and bilateral student exchanges.
Cultural Cooperation
Cinema
Each year, the EU Delegation to Indonesia organizes the Europe on Screen film festival, where Ukrainian films are regularly showcased. In 2024, Luxembourg, Luxembourg and 20 Days in Mariupol were featured.
The Embassy of Ukraine also holds regular screenings of Ukrainian documentaries and feature films to strengthen Ukraine’s information presence in Indonesia and raise awareness about Russia’s full-scale invasion. This remains one of the most accessible and effective tools for outreach in the region.
On February 20, 2024, to mark the anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine, together with the Embassy of Poland, organized a screening of the film Culture vs War.
On February 23, 2024, 20 Days in Mariupol was screened at the American Cultural Center, followed by a discussion between the Ukrainian Ambassador and a local journalist who had visited Ukraine and produced related reports.
On July 7–9, 2024, Ambassador Vasyl Hamianin visited Bali and met with the local Ukrainian community. A screening of the BBC documentary Enemy in the Forest, about the "Berlingo" special battalion, was held.
A major milestone in bilateral information cooperation was the production and broadcast on Indonesian television of a program about Ukraine—its customs and traditions—prepared with the participation of the Embassy. It aired on November 21, 2021, during Indonesia’s cultural week.
Music
In July 2024, as part of the Bali Arts Festival, Ukrainian traditional music was performed by bandurist Larysa Kovalchuk from the SLAVA Ukrainian Cultural Center in Sydney, Australia.
Visual Arts
In June 2019, a monument to Anna Yaroslavna (Anne of Kyiv) was unveiled at Cattleya City Park in Jakarta. It is a replica of the statue in Lviv Square, Kyiv, and was gifted by the city of Kyiv to Jakarta under the “Queen’s Path” project.
As part of the initiative by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska to create Ukrainian-language audio guides in museums around the world, the Embassy launched a Ukrainian-language guide at the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple in Bali on December 8, 2022. A QR code poster installed at the site allows visitors to access the guide.
Literature
Since early 2022, under Olena Zelenska’s Ukrainian Bookshelf initiative, the Embassy has helped establish more than 10 Ukrainian book collections across Indonesia, including at the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (Jakarta), the Fadli Zon Library, the National Library of Indonesia (in conjunction with National Book Day and the library’s 43rd anniversary), and several universities.
In 2024, Ukraine was represented for the first time at the Jakarta International Literary Festival (November 27 – December 1). Poet and translator Kateryna Kalytko took part in panel discussions and poetry readings.
Currently, there are no Ukrainian books translated into Indonesian, as Ukrainian is not taught at Indonesian universities. However, Indonesian has been taught in Ukraine since 2012 at the Institute of Philology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The Embassy is working toward establishing Ukrainian Studies programs to expand academic knowledge of Ukraine in the region.
Performing Arts
In 2024, Ukraine was represented for the first time at the Djakarta International Theater Platform. Ukrainian theater Dakh and Indonesian traditional arts organization Gema Citra Nusantara presented the multimedia performance ERROR in celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day. The project was directed by Vlad Troitskyi, founder of the contemporary art festival GOGOLFEST and the music groups DakhaBrakha and Dakh Daughters. This was the first artistic collaboration between Ukraine and Indonesia.
Also in July 2024, Ukrainian dance was presented for the first time at the Bali Arts Festival. Dancers from the Ukrainian Cultural Center SLAVA—a group of Ukrainians and Australians of Ukrainian descent—represented Ukraine. The performance was organized with the support of the Ukrainian community in Indonesia (Bali Ukraine), Honorary Consul I Nyoman Astama, and Ambassador Vasyl Hamianin.
Sports
Ukrainian badminton players Yelyzaveta Zharka and Mariia Stoliarenko participated in the Indonesia Open 2022, held in Jakarta from June 14–19, 2022.
Tourism
There is strong potential for bilateral cooperation in tourism. Indonesia has a highly developed and diverse tourism industry, while more Indonesians are beginning to explore European destinations. Ukraine, with its competitive prices, can become an attractive option for Indonesian travelers.
Indonesia introduced visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens in 2016 (for stays up to 30 days), and Ukraine introduced e-visas for Indonesians in 2018. These developments have contributed to growth in tourism exchange. In 2019, over 35,000 Ukrainians visited Indonesia, while approximately 1,500 Indonesians visited Ukraine. A bilateral visa waiver agreement, once signed and ratified, will provide a major boost to travel and people-to-people contact.
Humanitarian Cooperation
Mutual humanitarian support has been a significant dimension of the bilateral relationship.
In 2006, pursuant to Ukrainian Cabinet Resolution No. 799 (June 7, 2006), Ukraine provided humanitarian assistance to Indonesia to help respond to the aftermath of an earthquake.
In 2015, humanitarian aid—consisting of medicine worth over 500,000 UAH—was delivered to the Main Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine from Indonesian pharmaceutical companies. It was designated for Ukrainians affected by Russia’s military aggression.
On October 23, 2018, the President of Ukraine signed a decree on providing humanitarian assistance to Indonesia following the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi (September 28, 2018). In December 2018, Ukraine transferred USD 362,296 (10 million UAH) in aid.
Indonesia, in turn, provided USD 5 million in humanitarian aid for the restoration of Chernihiv City Hospital No. 2.