Bali, Indonesia (Antara Bali) - As part of the series of activities of World
Culture Forum 2016 (WCF), The cultural visit has successfully attracted
the attention of participants. Moreover, the participants were presented
with a variety of art performances from various regions in Indonesia,
especially during the visit to Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppet in
Gianyar, Bali.
The visit was opened with Tor-Tor Marmeam-meam
dance, a traditional dance from North Sumatra, performed by children
finalist of National Children Dance Festival. The dance was dedicated to
welcome the participants in the main Hall of Setia Darma House of Masks
and Puppets. After watching the Tor-Tor dance, the participants walked
to six pavilions in Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets in which
exhibited a variety of masks, both domestic and abroad.
In Blora
pavillion, for example, visitors were presented with a variety of masks
from Africa, Mexico, and Japan. While in Bojonegoro pavilion, various
Indonesian wayang golek (wooden puppets), hanging puppets from India,
and stick puppets from Italy were exhibited. After touring The House,
the participants watched Tari Topeng (Mask Dance Performance) and Barong
dance accompanied by the music performed by a Balinese artist, Balawan.
The
Director General of Culture of Education and Culture Ministry of
Republic of Indonesia, Hilmar Farid, said, a variety of art performances
displayed in the Cultural Visits in the first day of World Culture
Forum 2016 aimed to show the color of Indonesian culture to the world.
“All
this time, we see the artistic expression only as a culture decoration.
While actually, there are also statements about life and people. We
should hear more voices, learn more artworks in the community. Indonesia
is a country that values diversity as a strength. Even though Indonesia
consists of hundreds of ethnicity, languages, and islands, yet we
remain one as a nation. That’s what we have to offer the world, the
ability to manage the vast culture, of course, with all the existing
problems,†said Hilmar in Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets,
Gianyar, Bali, (10 / 10/2016).
He expected that the participants
of the World Culture Forum and its supporting forums, the International
Youth Forum (IYF) and the International Folk Dance Festival (IFDF), can
enjoy the culture of Indonesia during the convention of World Culture
Forum in Bali.
Belkhatir Mohamed, IYF participants from Belgium,
said this was his first visit to Indonesia. Previously, he had heard
that Indonesia was a wonderful country. “I have only stayed here for two
days and these two days have been the best day for me,†he said. He
hoped that by participating in IYF, he can discover new cultures and
ideas to develop culture and tourism in his country.
Like
Mohamed, Victoria, participants of International Folk Dance Festival
from Poland also come to Indonesia for the first time. After watching a
variety of art performances, She was deeply in love with Indonesian
culture. Victoria, who is a dancer, is also preparing for IYF
collaboration dance with other participants from other countries. They
will perform a collaboration of traditional dances from countries in
World Culture Forum 2016 Gala Dinner, on 13 October 2016. (WDY)
Enjoying Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity in Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets
Selasa, 11 Oktober 2016 15:38 WIB