TNI peacekeepers in Lebanon join arts festival

A battalion of Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers assigned to the so-called Garuda Contingent of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon gave traditional Indonesian performances at the “Summer Camp Festival” in Kleyaa, South Lebanon.

The soldiers performed during the 10-day festival's opening and closing events, battalion spokesman Maj. Banu Kusworo said in a press statement sent to Antara on Sunday.

“During the opening ceremony on Aug. 9, battalion soldiers played the angklung and calung [and performed] the Raranggenis, Reog, Sisingaan and Poco-poco dances, as well as playing several traditional games to entertain hundreds of Lebanese school children,” Banu said.

For the event's close, the soldiers performed in a marching band and walked an ersatz catwalk clad in traditional clothing from several regions of Indonesia, he added.

Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Inf. Hendy Antariksa said that the TNI wanted to promote Indonesian culture in Lebanon - and entertain local children, too.