The Inaugural Best of ASEAN Performing Arts

The first Best of ASEAN Performing Arts festival was held on May 6 and 7 in the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, as part of a series of cultural events from ASEAN countries to showcase the richness and
diversity of performing arts in the region.

The festival was also aimed at acknowledging the important role Jakarta has played over the past 32 years as host city of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The event, jointly organized by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Ministry, is titled "Mosaic Archipelago."

The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts was proposed by the Secretariat-General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, during the third meeting of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Arts and Culture
in Myanmar on Jan. 12, 2008.

"Through culture, we can bring the people 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," Surin Pitsuwan said.

In the coming months, the other nine ASEAN countries will hold similar festivals presenting their best arts and cultural performances.-- JP/P.J.LEO