The Faculty of Humanities at the Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI) has received and inaugurated a statue of Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828–1910), the renowned Russian writer. The statue, donated by The International Charitable Public Foundation – Dialogue of Cultures–United World, was unveiled on Wednesday (Dec 3) in the Garden Area of Building VII FIB UI, Depok Campus. Created by Russian artist Aleksey Leonov, the statue was presented as a symbol of friendship and support between Indonesia and Russia.
The event was attended by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Fadli Zon; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Indonesia, Mr. Sergey Tolchenov; the Dean of FIB UI; a delegation from the Upper House of the Russian Parliament led by Ms. Liliya Gumerova; the Director of Russky Dom Jakarta; as well as lecturers, students, and other invited guests.
Dean of FIB UI, Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum., expressed his gratitude to Dialogue of Cultures–United World and delivered the Rector’s remarks during the inauguration. He stated that Leo Tolstoy is a pivotal figure in the development of Russian literature and has significantly influenced the literary world globally through his works. The placement of the Leo Tolstoy statue at FIB UI serves as a manifestation of the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations that has long been established and is expected to continue.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Sergey Tolchenov, stated in his remarks that the presence of this statue will further strengthen cultural dialogue between the countries. Students are encouraged to continue studying and appreciating the works of Russian writers, particularly Tolstoy, and to strive for achievement in various fields. Furthermore, the inauguration, coinciding with the delegation’s visit to the Universitas Indonesia, further encourages increased cooperation, particularly in the fields of education and culture.
Minister of Culture Dr. Fadli Zon, in his speech, stated that the placement of the Leo Tolstoy statue at the Faculty of Humanities UI is highly appropriate, considering that the works of the great Russian writer are studied at this faculty. Dr. Fadli Zon recalled that he has been acquainted with Tolstoy’s works and philosophy since 1991—over 34 years ago—when he enrolled in the Russian Department at the Faculty of Letters UI. Fadli Zon also announced that Indonesia, in cooperation with Russia, plans to place a statue of the Indonesian poet, Chairil Anwar, at a university in Russia, potentially at MGU (Moscow State University) or SPBGU (St. Petersburg State University). He conveyed that this initiative is part of the cultural diplomacy between the two nations.
The series of events also featured a public lecture by Prof. Mina Elfira, Ph.D., a professor from the Russian Study Program at FIB UI, on the topic “The Study of Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s Works in Indonesia.” Additionally, the inauguration was enlivened by the reading of Leo Tolstoy’s children’s fairy tales by students ranging from elementary to high school levels; these works have been translated into Indonesian. Russian songs were also performed by students of the Russian Study Program. Moments after the ribbon-cutting marked the official inauguration, Fadli Zon read one of the children’s tales written by Tolstoy. This act symbolized the statue of Leo Tolstoy as a space for expression and a symbol of learning the life values taught by the great author.
Dialogue of Cultures–United World is an International Charity Public Foundation established in 2005. The institution aims to preserve and promote ethnic cultural identity worldwide, as well as to encourage intercultural dialogue. (Trans-RMRW)
