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International festival in Hungary features wayang kulit from Indonesia
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Wayang kulit, one of Indonesia's most famous cultural heritage masterpieces. (Shutterstock.com/Vladimir Wrangel)
A
n international festival featuring wayang kulit (shadow puppets) dubbed "Karakulit 2017" is currently being held in Pécs, an ancient city in southern Hungary, until May 10.
The event was initiated by MarkusZinhaz, a non-profit foundation that has many wayang enthusiasts from all over the world as its members, which has held similar events in the city of Pecs several times before.
Indonesian Ambassador to Hungary, Wening Esthyprobo Fatandari, highlighted in a press release that Indonesia’s wayang kulit was officially recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage masterpiece on Nov. 7, 2003.
"Wayang kulit has been performed in Indonesia since the 9th century. According to the Galigi Mawayang inscription that is estimated to have been written in 930 A.D., the most popular wayang story at the time was the tale of Bima, a fierce warrior. Since then, wayang has become an art form strongly embedded in our culture," said Wening during the opening ceremony on April 10.
Read also: Wayang klitik serves to spread Islamic teachings
The Indonesian Embassy for Hungary (KBRI) in Budapest is showcasing several wayang kulit collections at the festival, including Arjuna, Srikandi, Krisna, Nakula and Sadewa. The Indonesian heritage items will be displayed alongside wayang collections from Hungary, China, Turkey and India in museums across Pecs for one month.
According to Antara news agency, the foundation also borrowed several Indonesian wayang kulits from Dus Polett, a dalang (puppet master) who is a Hungarian citizen.
Polett reportedly fell in love with wayang during his time studying in Indonesia after receiving a scholarship from the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Darmasiswa, dedicated to helping foreigners learn about local Indonesian culture for two semesters. (vod/kes)
