Jakarta, 6 May 2008
ASEAN will hold its first Best of ASEAN Performing Arts on 6-7 May 2008. The aim is to showcase ASEAN’s best arts and cultural performances on a regular basis to promote the region’s rich and diverse cultures.
The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series was proposed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, at the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on 12 January 2008. The President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has supported holding the first performance in Jakarta. Jointly organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, the inaugural performance is titled “The Mosaic Archipelago”.
Dr Surin said, “Through culture, we can bring the peoples of ASEAN closer together. The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts reflects ASEAN’s common shared values and history that will contribute towards building an ASEAN Community and an ASEAN identity”.
Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr Jero Wacik said, “We realize that culture can bridge individuals, ethnic groups and nations in harmony and tolerance. Therefore, we can use culture as a diplomacy tool that benefits all. The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts is not only a perfect forum to sustain, preserve and develop culture but also to create an understanding and respect for each other’s diversity and richness of culture”.
The Mosaic Archipelago will showcase 11 dances and performances from various provinces in Indonesia. The dances that will be performed are the Nyai Lenggang Dance from Jakarta, the Marpangir Dance from North Sumatra, the Tifa Dance from East Nusa Tenggara, the Hudoq Dance from East Kalimantan, the Rampai Saman Dance from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the Japin Dance from Riau, the Ngeremo Dance from East Java, the Legong Kraton Dance from Bali, and the Mambri Dance from Papua. There also will be the presentation of a traditional Sundanese (West Java) puppet show, Wayang Ajen and Angklung performance.
The two-day event will be held at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.
