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.
Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
