Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the newly inaugurated Bali Indah Cultural Park, located in the city of Slupsk, Poland, is a clear symbol of the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between Indonesia and Poland.
“This also reflects the growing people-to-people contact between Indonesia and Poland,” said Acep Somantri, Expert Staff for Management Affairs at the Ministry, during a visit to Poland on Thursday.
Indonesia and Poland have maintained diplomatic relations since 1955, and over the past seven decades, their cooperation has continued to evolve. Numerous bilateral programs have been initiated across various sectors, including culture.
The inauguration of the Bali Indah Cultural Park on Monday (June 16) underscores Indonesia’s cultural presence in Poland. It is hoped that Poland will also establish a stronger presence in Indonesia, considering the long history of bilateral interaction between the two countries.
As part of the 70th anniversary of Indonesia–Poland diplomatic relations, both countries have hosted several initiatives, including a business forum aimed at enhancing trade and investment ties. Looking ahead, Acep emphasized that cultural collaboration, student exchanges, tourism, and other forms of engagement between the two nations will continue to flourish. “These activities will foster deeper cooperation among the people of both
countries,” he added.
Located in Strzelinko, Slupsk, the Bali Indah Cultural Park initially occupies 3 hectares of land, with plans to expand to 15 hectares. The park is envisioned to become the largest cultural park in Europe dedicated to showcasing Balinese heritage.
Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, officially inaugurated the park on Monday (June 16) at the Dolina Charlotty resort in Slupsk. This event marked a significant milestone in celebrating 70 years of Indonesia–Poland diplomatic relations and strengthening cultural collaboration.
Fadli described the park as a powerful symbol of friendship and a strategic node of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy in Europe.
“Through this cultural space, we can introduce Indonesia’s cultural diversity to a broader European audience and cultivate long-term cultural exchange,” he said in an official statement on Tuesday (June 17,
2025).
He noted that Bali, a global cultural icon, has long served as a bridge between Indonesian traditions and the international community.
“This park must become a living cultural space—not just in Poland, but in Europe as a whole—offering both locals and tourists a firsthand experience of Indonesia’s rich cultural expressions and philosophies,” he emphasized.
Fadli also highlighted the vast potential for cultural collaboration between Indonesia and Poland. In 2024 alone, nearly 54,000 Polish tourists visited Indonesia, reflecting a growing interest in its cultural richness.
According to Detiknews, “I am confident that Bali Indah Cultural Park can serve as a springboard for future cultural cooperation, including the establishment of other Indonesia-themed cultural zones across Europe,” he added.
Fadli expressed his deep appreciation to the hundreds of artists, cultural practitioners, and institutional partners who contributed their time and energy to bring the park to life.
Traditional Indonesian performances such as the Opening Parade, Oleg Tamulilingan dance by the ISI Denpasar team, and Ronggeng and Warna-Warni Jakarta dances by the Jakarta Provincial Government delegation enriched the inauguration ceremony.
“This park is a concrete example of how culture can serve as a foundation for cooperation, a bridge between nations, and a reflection of shared values such as harmony, balance, and openness,” Fadli stated.
Poland’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Piotr Borys, also expressed his appreciation for the park’s establishment, describing it as a symbol of bilateral friendship.
“Today, I feel as though the heart of Indonesia beats in Poland. We envision this park as a dynamic space for cultural, artistic, and even sporting activities,” he said.
As Poland currently holds the presidency of the European Union, Borys affirmed the country’s readiness to facilitate Indonesia’s cooperation with the EU in various fields, including culture. The park was initiated in August 2023 on a 3-hectare site in the Dolina Charlotty resort by Mirosław Wawrowski, Indonesia’s Honorary Consul in Poland and CEO of the complex.
“This project stems from my long-standing passion for Indonesia through years of cultural visits, and now it stands as one of the most authentic Indonesia-themed destinations in Europe,” Mirosław said. “I wanted to bring Bali to the heart of Central Europe, so that the Polish public could directly experience the authenticity of Balinese culture,” he added.
The park features a variety of Balinese cultural structures, including temples, traditional houses, Balinese cuisine restaurants, performance stages, exhibition galleries, and lodging facilities.
To ensure authenticity and high artistic standards, the park’s design was led by artists from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Bali, with construction carried out by Balinese workers.
Future expansions are planned to include cultural elements from other Indonesian regions such as East Nusa Tenggara and West Sumatra, providing broader access to Indonesia’s cultural diversity for the international community.