TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Rome commemorated Pancasila Day, which falls on June 1, 2026, by holding a ceremony and inaugurating a statue of the first Indonesian President, Soekarno.
Indonesian Ambassador to Italy Junimart Girsang, in his remarks, said that the statue of President Soekarno is a form of respect for his diplomatic legacy, as well as a symbol of the continuation of the spirit of an active, free foreign policy that continues to be maintained and preserved by the Indonesian Embassy in Rome to this day.
"Bung Karno (Soekarno) taught us that strong diplomacy is born from the courage of vision and self-confidence as a nation," said Junimart in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Rome on Monday, as quoted by ANTARA.
"Hopefully, this statue will inspire every diplomat and Indonesian citizen present here to continue to carry the same fire of struggle and spirit—that Indonesia is a sovereign, dignified nation, and always present on the world stage," he added.
The bronze statue standing at the Indonesian Embassy in Rome depicts President Soekarno in an iconic pose of respect, standing upright with a straight gaze, dressed in his uniform—symbolizing the strength, decisiveness, and courage of a leader who brought Indonesia's name to the world.
The Indonesian Embassy in Rome's initiative to present this statue is inseparable from the long history that binds Indonesia, Italy, and the figure of Soekarno himself. The Indonesian Embassy building in Rome at Via Campania 55 and the Ambassador's Residence at Via Piemonte 123 were acquired on the orders of President Soekarno and officially became the property of the Indonesian government in January 1956, as part of his vision to position Indonesia prestigiously among the capitals of key world nations.
Shortly thereafter, on 10–13 June 1956, President Soekarno made his first state visit to Italy and was welcomed by the Italian President, Giovanni Gronchi, in an official state meeting at the Quirinale Palace.
During the same visit, President Soekarno met Pope Pius XII at the Vatican and received the Grand Cross of the Pian Order. He returned to the Vatican in 1959 and 1964, where he was received by Popes John XXIII and Paul VI, respectively.
Soekarno's granddaughter, and House Speaker, Puan Maharani, was also present as inspector of the Pancasila Birth Day commemoration ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Rome. In her speech, Puan emphasized the importance of Indonesian citizens maintaining national values while living abroad.
"To the Indonesian Embassy in Rome and all Indonesian citizens in Italy, please keep Pancasila in your hearts. Pancasila is part of our identity as Indonesians, wherever we are," he said.
This enthusiasm resonated with the younger generation. Representing the Indonesian diaspora and students in Italy, Dimas Prasetia delivered remarks at the event, emphasizing the younger generation's commitment to carrying forward national ideals.
"Hopefully, the inauguration of the Bung Karno statue will serve as a reminder that Indonesia's spirit must continue to be present on the world stage. Our duty, the younger generation, is to dare to dream big for Indonesia wherever we are," said Dimas.
The statue of President Soekarno at the Indonesian Embassy in Rome was created by Gusti Dipa Art Gallery, a small and medium-sized fine arts business from Indonesia with more than 30 years of experience in sculpture, operating in Bantul, Yogyakarta, and Bekasi.
Assigning the project to local MSMEs demonstrates the Indonesian Embassy in Rome's commitment to developing Indonesia's creative industry. It also contributes to a cultural diplomacy legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Read: Prabowo Calls for Shift Toward Pancasila-Based Economy
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