Diary:Malaysian Food Carnival Improves Bilateral Relations

BELGRADE, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Diplomacy is not only limited to politics and economy but can extend to other areas as well. Diplomacy work may seem trivial to some but it actually has significant impact on international relations. Cultural diplomacy, for example, displays a country’s rich heritage and cuisine to its intended audience and food connoisseurs alike. This helps expand the market for such sectors. It is for the same reason that the Malaysian Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia launched into efforts to introduce Malaysian cuisine to the country, said Acting Charge d’affaires in Belgrade, Nik Ady Arman Nik Mohd Kamil, recently. Such duties may take some Malaysians far away from their homeland, but it does not stop them from utilising the opportunity to introduce Malaysian heritage to the local community. FOOD CARNIVAL With the aim of promoting Malaysia, the embassy hosted a food carnival for the first time in Belgrade at the Belgrade Hyatt Regency from Oct 12-16. The carnival themed “Malaysian Culinary Journey” featured a variety of Malaysian dishes and cuisine by Malaysian celebrity chef Ismail Ahmad. The carnival also features a nightly performance by the Chenderawasih Cultural Group, which is under the patronage of the Malaysian Embassy in Belgrade. Guests who attended the launch of the carnival include representatives of the Serbian government, foreign diplomats, businessmen and local media. Nik Ady Arman in his officiating speech said that the Malaysian Culinary Journey was organised not only to promote the uniqueness and variety of Malaysian food and culture to Serbia. The carnival could also potentially become a catalyst for stronger bilateral relations between Malaysia and Serbia, particularly in culture and tourism. ENCOURAGE FURTHER He said the carnival, jointly organised by the Belgrade Hyatt Regency, Turkish Airlines and the Malaysian Tourism Office in Milan, Italy, had succeeded in more than promoting Malaysian food and culture in Serbia. It also showed that food and the arts were capable of surpassing the geographical, ideological and lifestyle barriers of a people. Such efforts need to be further expanded and encouraged in the future, especially in countries where there is little to no Malaysian population as a positive means of introduction to the country. -- BERNAMA