{"id":220978,"date":"2026-11-07T13:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T06:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/?p=220978"},"modified":"2026-11-07T13:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T06:57:14","slug":"beyond-diplomacy-people-cultures-and-connections-at-italys-national-unity-and-armed-forces-day-reception-in-jakarta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/beyond-diplomacy-people-cultures-and-connections-at-italys-national-unity-and-armed-forces-day-reception-in-jakarta\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Diplomacy: People, Cultures, and Connections at Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day Reception in Jakarta"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Business Lounge Journal – News and Insight)<\/p>\n

An evening of diplomatic friendship, personal encounters, cultural exchange, and shared appreciation across national borders.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jakarta, 5 November 2026 \u2014 The reception celebrating Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Italy at the Park Hyatt Jakarta, offered more than an opportunity to commemorate an important national occasion. It brought together members of the diplomatic corps, defence representatives, and guests from different countries, creating an atmosphere for conversations and connections that extended beyond their official responsibilities.<\/p>\n

The reception was hosted by H.E. Roberto Colamin\u00e8, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, and Captain (Navy) Giovanni Marilli, the Italian Defence Attach\u00e9. Held at the Observatory Ballroom on the hotel’s 36th floor, the evening combined formal speeches with opportunities for guests to interact, enjoy Italian cuisine, and exchange experiences.<\/p>\n

An Early Arrival and a Warm Welcome<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arriving relatively early with a friend offered an opportunity to meet Captain (Navy) Giovanni Marilli and his deputy, Mr. Lorenzo. Both welcomed us warmly, and the conversation extended well beyond the formal purpose of the evening.<\/p>\n

We talked about their experiences and impressions during their assignments in Indonesia, including their opportunities to explore the country outside their official duties.<\/p>\n

Mr. Lorenzo, a tall Italian Navy officer, spoke enthusiastically about Indonesia and its people. He described Indonesians as warm and welcoming, expressing how much he and his colleagues enjoyed living and working here. He also shared his positive impression of the relationship between Indonesia and Italy, which he felt had been developing well.<\/p>\n

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mr. Lorenzo had made an effort to discover more of Indonesia. He spoke with admiration about places he had visited, including Mount Bromo and Komodo Island. There were, however, still destinations on his wish list, particularly Raja Ampat and Bunaken, which he had not yet had the opportunity to visit.<\/p>\n

His appreciation of Indonesia’s natural beauty was accompanied by a concern about the cleanliness of some tourist destinations. He recalled visiting a beach in Nusa Tenggara where he encountered numerous discarded plastic bottles. Rather than simply walking past them, he began collecting the bottles himself. He explained that he could not bear to see such a beautiful place spoiled by rubbish.<\/p>\n

It was a simple story, but one that stayed with me. Here was a visitor who had developed a genuine affection for Indonesia, yet felt compelled to take a small personal action when confronted with the pollution of its natural environment.<\/p>\n

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Unity, Freedom, and the Spirit of Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The formal part of the evening included speeches by Ambassador Roberto Colamin\u00e8 and Captain Giovanni Marilli.<\/p>\n

In his remarks, Ambassador Colamin\u00e8 expressed his appreciation for the good relationship between Indonesia and Italy, highlighting the spirit of mutual respect that has continued to shape their bilateral ties. He also conveyed his sincere gratitude to the guests for attending the celebration, making the occasion an opportunity to gather and strengthen connections.<\/p>\n

Captain Marilli reflected on the meaning of freedom and unity, emphasizing that the two values should go hand in hand. In his view, freedom means that everyone should be able to express and be themselves without fear or discrimination because of their identity, religion, or other differences, while living within a shared framework of rules.<\/p>\n

He also highlighted the close relationship between the Indonesian and Italian armed forces, particularly the opportunities for cooperation through joint activities and exercises, including flying and manoeuvring exercises.<\/p>\n

Such cooperation, he noted, could only develop through confidence, trust, and mutual respect. He expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) for their cooperation, as well as to his own team for their contribution to maintaining and strengthening this relationship.<\/p>\n

Before concluding, he welcomed everyone to the celebration and wished the guests an enjoyable evening, including the opportunity to experience Italian cuisine.<\/p>\n

Italian Cuisine and a View of Jakarta<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following the speeches, the evening continued in a more relaxed atmosphere, with guests having the opportunity to enjoy a selection of Italian dishes. Several dishes offered a pleasant introduction to Italian cuisine, and the food was consistently delicious.<\/p>\n

During the earlier conversation, Mr. Lorenzo mentioned that this was his fourth time attending the celebration. He also recalled that previous occasions had been held at the Grand Hyatt, a venue he remembered fondly for its pleasant setting and good Italian food.<\/p>\n

This year’s reception at the Park Hyatt offered a different but equally memorable experience. Mr. Lorenzo had spoken about the remarkable views of Jakarta from the hotel’s elevated location. A visit to the balcony confirmed his description. The city stretched out below, presenting a beautiful panorama from the hotel’s height.<\/p>\n

It was a lovely setting in which to enjoy the evening, bringing together good food, warm conversations, and the cityscape of Jakarta.<\/p>\n

Conversations Across Cultures: A Gathering of International Perspectives<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the evening progressed, conversations with several other diplomatic and military representatives added further perspectives to the gathering. Although the occasion was hosted by Italy, people from various countries came together, creating opportunities for exchanges that extended well beyond the formal celebration.<\/p>\n

Among them was the Defence Attach\u00e9 of T\u00fcrkiye, accompanied by his spouse. They had arrived in Jakarta only about three weeks earlier and were already pleasantly surprised by the warmth and hospitality of the Indonesian people.<\/p>\n

The conversation touched on T\u00fcrkiye itself, a country situated between two continents, with a distinctive geographical and strategic position. He spoke about the challenges T\u00fcrkiye faces in its international environment and the need to approach them with wisdom and courage. The close relationship between T\u00fcrkiye and Indonesia also came into the discussion.<\/p>\n

The Japanese Defence Attach\u00e9 and his wife were equally welcoming. The conversation included Japan, its Self-Defense Forces, and their experience in Indonesia. He shared some perspectives on the role of Japan’s military forces, which he described as primarily focused on national defence. Beyond professional matters, the discussion turned to differences in social character between Japanese and Indonesian people. He and his wife described Japanese people as generally more reserved, while Indonesians tend to be more expressive and outgoing. They appeared to be enjoying their time in Jakarta.<\/p>\n

An Indonesian Navy officer also shared his perspective on the role of the Navy in the country and its responsibility in helping to safeguard the people and maintain security. He emphasized the importance of keeping the situation calm, particularly in circumstances where tensions may arise. It was an interesting perspective, offering a local point of view on the responsibilities involved in maintaining security and stability.<\/p>\n

Another interesting encounter involved two officers from the United States Navy. Both were friendly and approachable. Interestingly, one had Thai roots and the other Iranian roots, adding another dimension to the international character of the gathering. The conversation touched on Indonesia and the relationship between the two countries. They expressed their appreciation for the ties with Indonesia and their interest in exploring more of the country.<\/p>\n

A Singapore Navy officer and several other defence representatives were also among those met during the evening. Many of the military officers attending the reception were from naval backgrounds, making the gathering an interesting meeting place for people whose professional responsibilities are connected with maritime affairs and international cooperation.<\/p>\n

There was also another opportunity to speak with Ambassador Roberto Colamin\u00e8. Appreciation was expressed for his speech and his warm welcome to the guests. His approachable manner reflected the welcoming atmosphere that characterised the reception.<\/p>\n

An Interesting Conversation About Italian Coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not all conversations revolved around diplomacy or military cooperation. Another exchange with members of the Italian Embassy staff turned to something closer to everyday life: Italian coffee.<\/p>\n

Frequent visits to coffee shops for meetings and events have made the presence of Italian-made espresso machines in Indonesia quite familiar. Brands such as La Marzocco and Nuova Simonelli are recognisable names in many coffee establishments.<\/p>\n

The conversation touched on how Italian coffee-making equipment has become part of the coffee culture that continues to develop in Indonesia. It was an enjoyable exchange, connecting Italy’s reputation for coffee craftsmanship with something encountered quite regularly in everyday activities.<\/p>\n

Beyond a National Celebration: Building Connections Across Borders<\/p>\n

As the evening unfolded, the reception came to represent more than a celebration of Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day. It had also become a meeting point for people from different countries to interact and build relationships beyond their official responsibilities.<\/p>\n

What stood out was the natural way conversations developed. Discussions about diplomatic relations and defence cooperation gradually extended to personal experiences, impressions of Indonesia, cultural differences, travel, and everyday life. Behind their respective positions and uniforms were individuals with stories and experiences to share.<\/p>\n

Looking around the room, it was clear that these exchanges were not limited to a few individuals. Guests from different nationalities were equally engaged, exchanging ideas, sharing laughter, and getting to know one another.<\/p>\n

It was a wonderful experience to witness how people could appreciate their differences while finding common ground. It was a reminder that international relationships are not built solely through formal meetings and agreements, but also through personal encounters, genuine conversations, and friendships that develop along the way.<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Business Lounge Journal – News and Insight) An evening of diplomatic friendship, personal encounters, cultural exchange, and shared appreciation across national borders. Jakarta, 5 November 2026 \u2014 The reception celebrating Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Italy at the Park Hyatt Jakarta, offered more than an opportunity to commemorate an important national occasion. It brought together members of the diplomatic corps, defence representatives, and guests from different countries, creating an atmosphere […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101080,"featured_media":220979,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_typography_data":[],"_editorskit_blocks_typography":"","_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2725,1050],"tags":[13953],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220978"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101080"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=220978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":220984,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220978\/revisions\/220984"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/220979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=220978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=220978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blj.co.id\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=220978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}