Jakarta
(ANTARA News) - Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh has announced that
the Indonesian government will contribute $10 million to support the activities
of UNESCO which is financially experiencing difficult times.
The
announcement was made during the first official visit by UNESCO
Director-General Irina Bokova to Indonesia, the UNESCO Jakarta Office said on
its official website, Thursday.
The UNESCO
Director-General opened the 6th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for
the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage which is being held in Bali
from November 22 to 29, 2011.
The
Director-General also met with the Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare
Agung Laksono and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka
Pangestu.
The
Director-General expressed her gratitude for this significant and timely
contribution, affirming that it would support UNESCO`s core activities,
including the preservation of heritage, capacity building and improving the
quality of education.
A
substantial part of the funding will be used for programs to support Indonesia
and the ASEAN region.
During her
stay in Bali, Irina Bokova visited the cultural landscape of Bali which has
been proposed by the Indonesian Government for inscription onto the UNESCO
World Heritage list.
The
Director-General was accompanied by the acting Director General for History and
Archaeology of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, I Gede
Pitana and the Director of UNESCO Jakarta, Hubert Gijzen.
The visit
covered some of the proposed sites, such as Batukaru Temple, a unique and
sacred mountain sanctuary, and the royal temple of Tabanan dynasty, located in
the middle of a rain forest and beneath Mount Batukaru. This temple is one of
the biggest Hindu temples in Bali and was built to worship the deities of the
surrounding mountains and lake.
The DG also
visited the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, which are located in the Regency of
Tabanan, about 700 meters above the sea level. The site is managed by an
elaborate community-based traditional irrigation system, known as the `subak`
system, which symbolizes the Balinese Tri Hita Karana concept that binds gods, human
and nature together.
The visit
was followed by a visit to Taman Ayun Temple which was built in the 18th
Century. The temple is influenced by both Balinese-Majapahit and Chinese
styles, which gives it its uniqueness.
At the
temple, the Director General`s delegates received an on-site briefing and were
welcomed by a Sekar Jepun traditional dance.
The
Director-General commended the local community for its dedication.
"On
behalf of UNESCO, I appreciate all you are doing to preserve your heritage for
future generations. You are an excellent example of what Indonesia represents:
a huge diversity, a dynamic country with long traditions; an impressive social
and economic development that has reconciled heritage with modernity. I
encourage you to protect and pass on this heritage to future generations,"
she said.
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