It also served as the Indonesian capital from 1946 to 1948 during the Indonesian National Revolution, and in the 16th and 17th centuries, Yoyakarta was the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram.
Thus, it is not surprising if this week Yoyakarta, which is located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, was crowned by ASEAN cultural and arts leaders as a center of cultural exchange for those countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"We will carry out many schemes, including exchanges of artists and experiences, on how to preserve cultures and cultural heritages, both tangible and intangible," Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy told reporters on the sidelines of the the 8th meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) held in Yogyakarta on Wednesday (Oct 24).
The AMCA meeting designated Yogyakarta as an ASEAN City of Culture. "The most important thing for us is this historical event, in which Yogyakarta is designated as an ASEAN City of Culture for the 2018-2020 term. This is the ASEAN community`s recognition of Yogyakarta as an ASEAN City of Culture for the 2018-2020 period," a member of the Indonesian education and culture minister`s staff for innovation and competitiveness, Ananto Kusuma Seta, said during a press conference.
The meeting also discussed the scheme to match various cultures and cultural heritages among ASEAN member countries. Minister Muhadjir remarked that AMCA members reviewed the means to promote ASEAN as a group of countries with advantages in the field of culture, as well as a close proximity to each other.
"With the variety of cultures that we have in common, we will be able to become a regional force, especially in the cultural sector," he noted.
Yogyakarta also reflected the identity of ASEAN as a pluralistic community thanks to its inclusiveness, security and tranquility, he said.
AMCA refers to the 31st ASEAN Summit Meeting in November 2017, when ASEAN leaders agreed to adopt the ASEAN Declaration on the Culture of Prevention.
The ASEAN Declaration on the Culture of Prevention aims to create a society with peace, openness, awakening, health, and harmony.
The designation of Yogyakarta as an ASEAN City of Culture was due to Indonesia`s being the host of the event. As the host, Indonesia is authorized to appoint one of its cities to be designated as an ASEAN City of Culture.
The election of Yogyakarta as ASEAN City of Culture received full approval from ASEAN member states at the meeting.
With the election of Yogyakarta as ASEAN City of Culture, the activities in the city must involve and prioritize activities promoting the culture of prevention by involving international participation between ASEAN and its three dialog partners, China, Korea and Japan.
Yogyakarta also held an ASEAN Arts Festival on Wednesday, which featured artists from ASEAN member states, China, South Korea and Japan.
"We hope other cities will follow suit, since the role of culture as a type of DNA to greet civilization in the future will become very important. Many (participants) are of the view that the future humanity passport will rest with culture, which is the soul of the future civilization," Ananto Kusuma Seta said.
He also expressed his hope that other Indonesian cities will follow Yogyakarta to become an ASEAN City of Culture in the future.
With its designation as the ASEAN city of culture, Yoyakarta is expected to have a good chance to further promote its arts, culture and tourism destinations.
According to indonesia-tourism.com, Yogyakarta has more than just culture. It is a very lively city and a shopper`s delight. The main road, Malioboro Street, is always crowded and famous for its night street food-culture and street vendors. Many tourist shops and less expensive hotels are concentrated along this street, or in the adjoining tourist area such as Sosrowijayan Street.
The key attraction of Yogyakarta is `Kraton` (the Sultan`s Palace). The Sultan`s palace is the centre of Yogyata`s traditional life and, despite the advance of modernity, it still emanates the spirit of refinement, which has been the hallmark of Yogyata`s art for centuries.
Gamelan music, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, wayang kulit (leather puppet), theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep visitors spellbound. Also, local craftsmen excel in arts, such batiks, silver and leather works.
Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found fertile soil in Yogyata`s culture-oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts, is the center of arts and Yogyakarta has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia.
Renowned as a centre of Indonesian education, Yogyakarta is home to a large student population and dozens of schools and universities, including Gadjah Mada University, the country`s largest institute of higher education and one of its most prestigious, according to Wikipedia.
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
