When Angklung Becomes A Cultural Diplomacy Tool That Unites Indonesia-Rumania-Uruguay In Blind Schools

JAKARTA - "Akklung teaches just one tone is not enough to be a beautiful melody. Harmony is only created when we play together," said Ambassador Meidyatama Suryodiningrat.

A series of simple bamboo pipes hanging neatly in the multipurpose room of the Gimnazial Cup Special Specialist Pentru Deficien'i de Vedere or in Indonesian, Junior High School Especially for People with Vision Disabilities (impairedvision).

In front of the instrument, about 80 students and students sit quietly, waiting for the strains of musical instruments they have learned from.

That day, Monday (24/11) the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bucharest gave a donation of 32 angklung to this extraordinary school (SLB).

This donation aims to promote angklung musical instruments in Eastern Europe and support inclusive education for children in Romania.

Angklung is nothing new for the SLB. In his remarks, Ambassador Meidyatama said that the Indonesian Embassy staff had watched the angklung performance at the school. Instead of Indonesians, they were guided by Carlos Blanco Fadol, a music teacher from Uruguay.

Starting from this story, Ambassador Meidyatama and Ambassador Uruguay to Romania Alberto Antonio Rodriguez Go kazi discussed how to help keep angklung learning at school going.

"Sungklung, the Indonesian cultural heritage that UNESCO admits, teaches that even one tone is not enough to be a beautiful melody. Harmony is only created when we play together. The value of togetherness is what we hope can unite Indonesia, Uruguay and Romania," said Ambassador Meidyatama in his speech when handing over the musical instrument, quoted from the statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest on November 27.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Gowi, who also represented Uruguay's music teacher, expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for the donation of the angklung.

"This initiative shows that Uruguay and Indonesia can find similarities, namely the willingness to work together, and contribute to a better future generation," said Ambassador Gowi.

Separately, the Head of the 'coala Gimnazialmen' Specialist Pentru Deficien'i de Vedere, Cosmina Cazan expressed her appreciation for the gift.

"We recognize this instrument (angklung). A music teacher from Uruguay once lent it and taught us how to play it. When played together, it makes a beautiful sound," he said.

After the handover, the school student enjoyed the modern appearance of angklung by Manshur Angklung who performed songs such as Ode to Joy, Jingle Bells to Good Life.

Complementing the nuances of the country, the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest presents a variety of typical Indonesian snacks for students, teachers, school staff and invited guests.

It is known, that it was founded in 1957, the Coala Gimnazial Badminton Specialition Pentru Deficien de Vedere was managed by the Romanian Government and served children aged 4 to 15 years from various regions.

Its facilities include bright classrooms, special therapy rooms (includingID and mobility orientation), libraries with more than 6,000 printed, audio and audio collections, computer spaces with voice synthetics, multipurpose spaces, sports areas, as well as medical and physiotherapy services that support student needs.