The carnival begun with the performance of Balinese girls performing Sekar Jempiring, a Balinese traditional dance and also the mascot dance of Denpasar city. This dance tells story of the fragrance of Jempiring flower that grows in Denpasar, Bali. The white and clean color of the flower symbolizes Denpasar city administration which is clean and in good performance.
After that, the carnival resumed with the reading of Traditional Dance Festival Declaration by the International Folk Dance Festival (IFDF) participants, one of events in the WCF 2016. Suzie Moya Benitez of the Philippines read the declaration among more than one hundred IFDF participants who wore their countries’ traditional costumes. This declaration is an agreement between IFDF participants from 13 countries, including Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Italy, Indonesia, and Thailand. One of the points agreed in the declaration is the agreement of sustained and preserved culture to be passed on to next generations.
In his speech, Hilmar said that this carnival was held as part of activities of the WCF 2016 and served as a place to express the cultural diversity of each country. He said that the world would need more such forums to express the culture and cultural ideas. “The key message is that diversity is part of human life, and culture is our strength to be united and making friendship in the world,†he said.
The carnival was filled with art performances from all of the participating countries. Indonesia performed Reog Ponorogo, a traditional art from East Java. Thailand delegation featured Kala Dance from Northeast of Thailand, which tells about the joyfulness of young people after completing harvest. They will sit together to rub coconut shells, and dance in pairs of men and women.
Delegation of Kazakhstan featured traditional dance Kara Zhorga. The choreography shows the dancers’ flexibility and their ability to harmonize footsteps, hands, with music. Uzbekistan also performed their traditional dance taken from their four regions namely Bukhara, Horesm, Andijan and Fergana, with their own characteristics.
Slightly different from other countries, delegates from Taiwan showed martial arts dance inspired by Bruce Lee, the kung fu master from Taiwan. The dance combined martial art and kung fu power from the kung fu master.
The Italian delegation offered history as part of culture. Manfrina dance was performed by Italy Urbanitas group. It tells about Italian Renaissance court tradition in the 1700s. Since then, this popular dance has become Italy’s cultural heritage.
William and Maia, a couple of dancers from Italy, expressed their admiration of Indonesia cultures. William said, Indonesia was a beautiful country and he liked Indonesia music. Maia, in the other hand, admitted that she interested in religions and traditional beliefs in Indonesia, and the ritual. They both said that they are pleased and proud to participate in the WCF 2016. “With society and culture that we have, together we can undertake cultural exchange and live peacefully side by side in this world,†William said.
Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
