RI improves diplomacy through cultural exchange

Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Surakarta | Tue, 10/20/2009 1:24 PM

Foreign artists taking part in the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship play traditional West Javanese music during their grand performance in Pura Mangkunegaran hall in Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday night. This year’s scholarship program was joined by 55 artists from 31 countries. They studied traditional Indonesian music in Bandung, Yoyakarta, Surakarta and Denpasar during the three-month program, which is sponsored by the Foreign Ministry. JP/Blotank Poer

Eight women and four men in Javanese costume danced to fast-tempo gamelan, (Javanese traditional music) played by musicians also wearing Javanese costume.

Indonesia Channel 2009, a dance and music festival, was performed by 50 students from 31 countries who were granted 2009 Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarships from the Foreign Ministry.

The performance took place in the Mangkunegaran Palace, or Pura Mangkunegan, courtyard in Pamedan, Surakarta, Central Java, and was well-received by its audience on Sunday night.

The artists performed at least nine Balinese, Sundanese and Javanese traditional dances accompanied by traditional music also played by the foreign students.

The performance - titled "One World, Diverse Culture, One Destiny"- showcased what the students had learned over nearly three months at various art workshops in Yogyakarta, Denpasar, Bandung and Surakarta.

Besides learning more about culture, dance and music, the students were also taught how to make batik and other crafts such as pottery.

"I can now make five batik motifs and six pottery objects," said a student from Azerbaijan, Leyla Haziyewa.

A student from South Africa, Moses Seemise, said his stay in Indonesia for the past three months had been an extraordinary experience.

"It has made me realize the importance of culture, and therefore I can appreciate my African heritage more," he said.

In his keynote speech, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said the event was a program developed to promote Indonesia's cultural wealth.

"Building international bonds through cultural activitie is very effective," Hassan said about the program.

The event was attended by 11 ambassadors and diplomatic staff from participating countries, as well as Indonesia's Foreign Ministry officials and the mayor of Surakarta.

The students also played the angklung and performed Michael Jackson's well-known "Black or White", encouraging the audience to join in.

The students came from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Singapore and other countries, however some people commented their costumes made them look very Indonesian.

They also performed the Sundanese drum performance, Rampak Gendang, and displayed exceptional skill when playing Sundanese percussion instruments.

They also performed the Balinese Kecak dance and sang the Java-nese song, "Gambang Suling", with Balinese musical instrument accompaniment.

During their time in Indonesia, the 50 students were taught in a number of studios, such as the Mang Udjo Angklung studio in Bandung, Soerya Sumorat dance studio in Surakarta, Sekar Setaman studio in Yogyakarta and Semarandana arts studio in Denpasar.

A film producer who attended the event expressed his admiration for the performers.

"I couldn't believe they performed so well after only around three-months training.

"They could have been professionals they were so good," he told The Jakarta Post.