The artists were invited by the Indonesian embassy in Riyadh, Banyuwangi District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas said here Wednesday.
"This trust is precious. This opportunity will not come twice. So when I saw off those young artists yesterday, I told them to use the event to promote Banyuwangi`s tourism," he said.
Anas expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Tourism Ministry for choosing Banyuwangi`s artists to perform in the international festival, and for providing facilities for Banyuwangi tourism promotion.
The 20 artists comprise musicians and elementary school students who will perform "Hadrah" and "Kuntulan" arts.
Indonesia has been selected as guest of honor at the 33rd Janadriyah Festival by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz.
At the 2018 Janadriyah Festival, the Government of Saudi Arabia provided an area of 2,500 square meters, or almost 10 times more than the last year`s event.
Indonesia utilizes the largest cultural and heritage festival in the Middle East to showcase various traditions and art performances and screen several national films on the festival`s arts stage.
The Indonesian Pavilion also features Indonesian cultures from 34 provinces and documentation of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Alwi Shihab, the Indonesian president`s special envoy to the Middle East and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), told Arab News that it was a privilege for his nation to be invited by Saudi Arabia to take part in the event, and said it would further strengthen the bond between the two countries.
"We are proud of this appointment, which many countries aspire to, and we are thankful to the king and to the government of Saudi Arabia," he said.
"Our contribution to Janadriyah will include introducing the different cultures of Indonesia, with its varied ethnic groups, languages and cuisines," said Shihab.
Reporting by Masuki M Astro, Fardah A
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
