Ministry Of Education And Culture Holds Wayang Kulit Show In The 80th Anniversary Of Indonesia's Independence

Menbud Fadli Zon (Photo: Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia held a Wayang event in the courtyard of the Ministry of Culture complex as a closing series of events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia entitled GEMPITA (Gema for the Protection of Culture of the Archipelago).

The shadow puppet show, which was held full last night, featured Dalang Ki Bagong Darmono with the Bima Kridha play. Bima Kridha's play is about the heroism of Pandawa Lima led by Bima as a figure of truth enforcer and defender of the country. In his story, the blessing of Dewi Kunti, the mothers of the Pandavas, became a source of moral strength as well as a spiritual provision for her sons in upholding dharma and facing the challenges of life.

Ki Bagong Darmono, is the younger brother of the puppet puppeteer, Ki Anom Suroto. He is a professional puppeteer from Klaten, Central Java, the successor to his older brother's puppet style. This performance was accompanied by six sindents and tweeters, and presented Dagelan Gareng Semarang as guest stars.

Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon attended wayang's performance after previously participating in the Karnival for Independence with other ministries/agencies. In his remarks, he said that as a masterpiece of Indonesian culture that has been recognized by the world as Intangible Cultural Heritage or the legacy of an intangible culture, Wayang is not just a beautiful performance arts spectacle, but also guidance for human life.

"In every play that is staged, noble values are stored about truth, courage, honesty, and devotion to others. Through wayang art, we not only enjoy the beauty of aesthetics, but are also invited to reflect on moral and spiritual values that can serve as a guideline in social and national life," he said quoting a written statement.

He hopes that through wayang performances, the wayang ecosystem will grow, especially among the younger generation. We hope that through performances, our wayang ecosystem will grow, especially for the younger generation to love, reappreciating wayang as part of Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The same thing was conveyed by the Director General of Cultural Protection, Restu Gunawan, at the opening of the event, that the Ministry of Culture is ready to accommodate the community, because collaboration between the government and the community is needed to advance culture.

Community roles are very important in advancing culture. The government cannot run alone, but rather needs to collaborate with communities that have ideas and ideas, so that a sense of belonging is created," he said.

He also mentioned that cultural performances are not just celebrations, but are an effort to protect, develop, and utilize a wider culture, as well as be a trigger for the birth of other cultural activities in various regions.

Previously, from morning to noon, the series of GEMPITA events were filled with traditional game competitions, Si Panca Adventure activities which were attended by school students, and the 17 Bambu Betung Climbing. The entire series of events was held as part of the celebration of independence day as well as efforts to revive the cultural traditions of the archipelago.

Also attending the puppet show were Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mohammad Toha; Secretary of the Directorate General of Cultural and Traditional Protection, Wawan Yogaswara; Director of Cultural Value Empowerment and Facilitation of Intellectual Property, Yayuk Sri Budi Rahayu; Director of Cultural Heritage, I Made Dharma Suteja; General Chairperson of the National Secretariat of Puppeting Indonesia (SENAWANGI), Bambang Soelistyo; President of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) Indonesia, Dimas Samudera; Chairman of the Indonesian People's Association (PEWANGI), Luluk Sumiarso; wayang communities in the Jakarta area, and wayang lovers.

At the end of his remarks, Menbud Fadli Zon invited the entire community to continue to support the preservation of shadow puppets and other traditional arts. The Ministry of Culture affirms its commitment to strengthening the preservation of the cultural heritage of the archipelago as well as providing space for appreciation for artists and the community. Through the wayang performance which is open to the public, it is hoped that it can be a forum for celebrating togetherness and the spirit of independence through traditional arts.

"I invite all of us to continue to support the preservation of wayang skin and other traditional arts. Let's make cultural arts not only as a legacy that we are proud of, but also as a source of inspiration in building the character of a civilized, dignified, and with Indonesian personality," he concluded.