France Marks Bastille Day in Jakarta, Highlights Military and Cultural Relations

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2025 Bastille Day celebration, hosted by the French Embassy for Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN, was held in grand fashion at the Raffles Hotel in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Monday evening, July 14, 2025.

The hotel's ballroom began filling up with guests from diplomatic, business, and government circles starting at 06:47 PM local time.

The venue was decorated with French-themed ornaments, including a striking miniature Arc de Triomphe, the French and Indonesian flags displayed side by side, and iconic street signs such as Charles de Gaulle and Champs-Élysées, enhancing the festive national atmosphere.

This event was part of a wider series of Bastille Day celebrations in Indonesia throughout July. The first event was held on July 11 by the Indonesian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) in Jakarta.

Similar celebrations took place in Bali, Makassar, and several other cities on the same day as the main event. The French Institute and Warung Prancis also organized events in Yogyakarta, Bandung, Medan, Kendari, and Ambon.

Return Visit and Strengthened Relations

In his address, Laurent Legodec, the French Embassy's Interim Chargé d'Affaires, noted that this year's celebration was particularly meaningful as it coincided with the visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was invited as an honorary guest at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris.

“This celebration carries special significance, as President Prabowo Subianto has been invited to Paris as an honorary participant in the national celebration,” Legodec said.

Prabowo’s presence in Paris served as a return visit following French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Jakarta last May. During the parade on the Champs-Élysées, Prabowo sat on the main stage beside Macron, observing the French military parade and an aerial display of 17 fighter jets trailing blue, white, and red smoke.

The Indonesian contingent also joined the parade, performing "Maju Tak Gentar" under the Patriot II Task Force banner, which consisted of 500 personnel.

Defense and Industrial Cooperation

Legodec described 2025 as a milestone year, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between France and Indonesia. He highlighted the growing depth of bilateral ties, particularly in the defense sector.

“We are building partnerships between French companies and Indonesian industries and conducting joint military exercises,” he said. He also acknowledged the Indonesian military's contributions.

Beyond defense, the partnership extends to economic and industrial collaboration. Over 200 French companies are now active in Indonesia.

“These companies contribute to the country’s industrial foundation and support job creation,” Legodec added.

Cultural and Educational Collaboration

Legodec emphasized that cultural exchange is a key focus of the bilateral relationship.

“Our strategy covers heritage, museums, and the creative sector,” he said. He cited the role of institutions like the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), which has begun working with Indonesian partners in the film industry.

In the field of higher education and research, France remains committed to promoting student and academic exchanges.

“We want to increase mobility and foster stronger connections between the younger generations of both countries,” Legodec stated.

President Prabowo’s visit also resulted in several cooperation agreements in the areas of communication, culture, and tourism, according to State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. Prior to arriving in Paris, Prabowo visited Brussels to advance the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union.

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