Institut Teknologi Bandung

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mrs. Lyudmila Vorobieva delivered a public lecture at Aula Barat of ITB on Wednesday (9/10/2019). She explained about the dynamic bilateral relation between Indonesia and Russia until today.

In front of hundreds of ITB Students, Lyudmila explained several facts about Russia. “First, I think you already know that our country is the largest in the world with an area of 17 million square kilometer. We also have the longest railways named The Trans-Siberian which connects Moscow and Vladivostok. The next fact is that Moscow University have a building that remains as the tallest building in the world for educational building,” she said.

Russia, she said, moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1713, similar to Indonesia who will move the capital to Kalimantan in the future. “Russia did so to get closer with other European areas, but it moved back to Moscow, which served as the capital prior to movement to St. Petersburg,” she said.

Russia also make declaration on Human Right since 1918. From science and technology aspects, Russia has created many inventions such as light bulb and helicopter. A Russian Chemist was also discovered color photography for the first time.

Automatic firearm and the widely-known periodic table were the invention of Dmitri Mendeleev. Mendeleev is a world-renowned scientist and is still studied by academics. “Russia and Indonesia will commemorate 70 years bilateral diplomatic relation on 3 February 2020,” she said.

In Russia’s historical text studied in schools in Russian, there is a familiar term ‘nusantara’ in the 11th century. Russian history also notes many references from history researchers who mention about the journey of Russian scientists to Indonesia in the 18th century. The reference clearly describes Indonesia’s natural condition, be it the flora, animals, and cultures.

“I make a trip to Lampung and I was surprised to know there was a location called Tanjung Rusia, or literally means Russia Cape. I asked the locals but they do not know the origin of the name. But I suspect that as a reminder of the journey of Russian researchers. Russian researchers said that Java is the richest and most beautiful place on earth,” she explained.

She also said about Indonesian Song ‘Rayuan Pulau Kelapa’. The song was very popular in Uni Soviet during 1950s-1960s and was translated to Russian under title Pesnya Ostrova Palm which becomes a soundtrack for a documentary film. The song is perceived as token of strong relationship between Indonesia and Uni Soviet in the past.

Reporter: Salsabila Tantri Ayu (Chemistry 2016)