“Bienvenue, President Prabowo Subianto”: Diaspora Greets Head of State in Paris

Indonesian citizens enthusiastically welcome President Prabowo Subianto in Paris on Tuesday (5/26). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

Since the morning on Tuesday (5/26), hundreds of Indonesian citizens have been enthusiastically awaiting President Prabowo Subianto in Paris. Among the crowds at the hotel where he was staying during his visit in Paris, there was Ruth, a woman from Blitar who has lived in France for 23 years. She was unable to hide her joy when she met with the President for the first time.

“I am very grateful that Pak Prabowo made time to meet with Indonesian citizens here. Although just shaking hands with him, I am deeply touched. I am truly honored to meet him,” she said.

“Bienvenue (Welcome), Mr. President Prabowo Subianto,” she said.

Besides Ruth, Indonesian students in France also felt a deep sense of pride. Reval, along with Evelyn and Syeril, expressed their pride to meet President Prabowo in person. They said this was an experience that did not always come every day for Indonesian students abroad.

“We feel very proud and happy to meet Mr. President in person. Moreover, as students in France, this is an opportunity that not everyone has. So, we are very happy,” said Reval.

On the occasion, President Prabowo also had a brief conversation with the students. He asked about their fields of study and educational levels, while also encouraging them to continue studying diligently.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for making time to have a discussion with us, although we are only students. This is not something that we can have every day. So ,we feel proud and certainly happy to be able to discuss with the President,” said Evelyn.

Through this visit, the students also expressed their hope that the relations between Indonesia and France will become even stronger in the future. They said the good relations between the two countries has provided tangible benefits for Indonesian students in France, while also opening up a wider space to introduce Indonesian culture to the world.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for establishing such a good relationship with France. As students, we have truly felt the benefits here, and hopefully, in the future, we can also spread Indonesian cultural heritage all over the world,” said Syeril.

The meeting serves as a bonding experience, bringing back the feeling of a close connection with the homeland while affirming that wherever they are, they remain part of Indonesia. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/LW)