REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, VATICAN CITY -- Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, was very optimistic that presence of Indonesian Gallery and Park at Museum of Ethnology Vatican could open the world eyes of Indonesian culture. Arief said Indonesia was given a place of honor to have a permanent exhibition at Vatican museum. Indonesian park was also allowed to attach Borobudur relief prints in the museum.

"The manager of the museum also allow us to stamp logo branding of "Wonderful Indonesia"," Arief said, Friday (4/12).

He revealed that all were obtained by Indonesia for free and there was no cost of leasing space. The gallery would be arranged more in January to February and realization of the arrangement would be in March to April 2016.

In the end of December to early January 2016, Vatican must have been peak seasons. On Christmas and New Year 2016, many people from all over the world come to Citta del Vaticano, a tiny country which has a population of 824 inhabitants.

"In addition, the temperature in Vatican and Rome would be cold," Arief added.

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Arief said, the Indonesian Gallery and Park at Vatican Museums was a means to promote Wonderful Indonesia. More than 6 million foreign tourists visited Vatican in a year.

Whereas, Vatican only has an area of 136 hectares. However, Vatican museum has historical stories and artifact that was stored for hundreds of years.

In Vatican Museum, there were 1,150 objects of Indonesian artifacts. Since 2011 to 2012, Indonesian exhibition in the museum has been done. It became temporary exhibition in 2012 to 2013. In 2015, it entered the stage of "Redesigning Indonesia Section."

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