Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco strengthened cultural diplomacy through the “Indonesia-Morocco Art Night,” an event designed to foster knowledge exchange, cultural appreciation, and creativity between the two countries.”Cultural diplomacy is one of the most effective forms of soft power. Culture creates space for dialogue when differences arise, builds mutual trust, strengthens people-to-people ties, and opens opportunities for collaboration in education, research, the cultural industry, tourism, and the creative economy,” Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in Jakarta on Wednesday.According to Fadli, the Indonesia-Morocco Art Night reflects the ministry's commitment not only to strengthening cultural diplomacy but also to promoting cultural exchange between the two nations.Fadli noted that Indonesia and Morocco have maintained relations for centuries, and the event, which features exchanges of traditional knowledge and cultural values, is expected to further strengthen bilateral friendship while opening broader opportunities for cooperation across various sectors.He added that the collaboration between Indonesian and Moroccan traditional musicians demonstrated how two artistic traditions rooted in different cultural backgrounds can blend harmoniously without losing their distinct identities.According to the minister, art is a universal language capable of transcending national and cultural boundaries while strengthening dialogue among civilizations through people-to-people interactions.Additionally, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Indonesia Redouane Houssaini said culture is one of the strongest bridges connecting nations.He noted that the performance by Indonesian and Moroccan musicians on the same stage reflected the spirit of dialogue, mutual understanding, and friendship that has long characterized bilateral relations.He also emphasized that music possesses a universal power capable of transcending language barriers, geographical boundaries, and cultural differences.Through the cultural performance, says Houssaini, Indonesian people will gain a deeper appreciation of Morocco's cultural heritage and identity, while opening broader opportunities for collaboration between Indonesia and Morocco, particularly in the fields of arts and culture.The Indonesia-Morocco Art Night featured a variety of performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of both countries. The event opened with a reading of the poem “Oleh Tanjung” by renowned Indonesian poet Taufiq Ismail, performed by Peri Sandi Huizche.Other performances included the music group Muara that highlighted Indonesia's traditions accompanied by indigenous musical instruments such as Dayak sape, Sundanese kendang jaipong, tambur from Padang, and the Betawi kong ah yan.The evening then concluded with a performance by Melodies of Al Andalus featuring traditional Moroccan music.