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Island focus: Govt to propose gamelan to UNESCO
Muhadjir Effendy (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)The government is set to propose that gamelan be added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list next year
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Muhadjir Effendy (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
The government is set to propose that gamelan be added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list next year.
At the opening of the 2018 International Gamelan Festival in Fort Vastenburg in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday, Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said that gamelan, as an authentic ensemble of traditional instruments, had been studied internationally, resulting in the sprouting of communities the world over.
He said that, currently, a paper on gamelan, to be submitted in March next year, was being written.
Artists, musicians and gamelan enthusiasts are expected to support the campaign.
“The government has decided to propose gamelan as a nominee from Indonesia, to be sent to UNESCO next year. The discussion will commence in 2021,” he said.
The ongoing festival features dozens of local and international participants. Three gamelan maestros from Indonesia, namely Rahayu Supanggah (Surakarta), I Wayan Gde Yudane (Bali) and Taufik Adam (Jakarta), presented diverse gamelan compositions.
The festival’s opening ceremony began with “Gendhing Ketawang Puspowarno” by Supanggah, featuring dozens of musicians and singers such as Peni Candra Rini, Endah Laras, Cahwati and Woro Mustiko Siwi, a young singer and puppet master.
The ceremony also saw the performances of dance maestro Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik (Bali), theater giant Landung Simatupang (Yogyakarta) and a gamelan community from South Bank, England, founded 30 years ago.
