JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Russian Embassy in Indonesia, in collaboration with the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad, officially opened the photo exhibition *“Marine Ships Must Be!”* at the Museum Bahari in Jakarta.

The event highlighted the deep historical and maritime ties between Russia and Indonesia, drawing attention to shared cultural heritage.

Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadlizon, in his opening remarks, referenced the historic visit of Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich (later Emperor Nicholas II) to Java in 1891 aboard the ship *Pamyat Azova*.

He emphasized that this journey, documented in Indonesia’s national archives, underscores the long-standing connections between the two nations through maritime and people-to-people exchanges.

Acting Head of the Jakarta Agency for Culture, Mochamad Miftahulloh Tamary, and Denis Mironyuk, Head of the Museum of the World Ocean (via recorded message), also delivered speeches.

Both highlighted the significance of maritime cooperation and the preservation of shared cultural heritage as a bridge between Russia and Indonesia.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov reflected on the legacy of Soviet-Indonesian military cooperation. He recalled how the Soviet Union gifted the battleship *Ordzhonikidze* (renamed *Irian*) to Indonesia in 1962 during its conflict with the Dutch.

The vessel became a symbol of solidarity and strengthened diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Ambassador Tolchenov also mentioned the 1963 gift of the submarine *S-79 Pasopati*, which played a crucial role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. Today, the submarine serves as a museum in Surabaya, preserving the memory of this historic partnership.

The exhibition was inaugurated with a traditional Indonesian rebana (tambourine) performance, symbolizing the cultural fusion between the two countries. Attendees included ambassadors from friendly nations, journalists, and students from the Russian Embassy’s school.

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