Indonesia - Morocco Jajaki Collaboration of Andalusian Music and Gambus

Fadli Zon met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Indonesia, Redouane Houssaini at the Ministry of Culture Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 2. (IST)

JAKARTA - Gambus and kasidah music can be a new gateway to Indonesian-Moroccan cultural relations. The idea came up when Minister of Culture Fadli Zon met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Indonesia, Redouane Houssaini at the Ministry of Culture Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 2.

The meeting discussed the potential for cultural cooperation between the two countries, especially the development of traditional music. One of the highlights was the possibility of bringing together Andalusian music from Morocco with the gambus and kasidah that live in Indonesia.

Fadli said Indonesia and Morocco have historical closeness that can be the basis for strengthening bilateral relations. The closeness is considered to be expanded through more concrete cultural cooperation.

"Andalusian traditional music from Morocco may be in tune with the gambus and kasidah music in Indonesia. In the future, Indonesia and Morocco can collaborate on culture through these two genres of music," said Fadli.

He also opened the opportunity for collaboration between gambus and Andalusian music players on one stage. Not just a performance, this cooperation can be directed to become a more lively cultural diplomacy and easily accepted by the public.

Fadli also encouraged the acceleration of a memorandum of understanding or MoU between Indonesia and Morocco. The MoU is an initial memorandum of understanding as a basis for cooperation. Its coverage can include culture, creative economy, traditions, to local wisdom.

According to Fadli, this cooperation needs to be translated into real programs, such as artist residencies, traditional music performances, and cultural conferences.

The Moroccan Ambassador Redouane Houssaini said there were three collaboration spaces that could be worked on. Namely, strengthening the culture-based economy, promoting culture, and inter-institutional cooperation such as museums.

"We can continue to strive to promote our culture. Through friendship based on respect, we can do our best to advance the culture of each country," said Houssaini.

The meeting was also attended by the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation Endah T.D. Retnoastuti and the Expert Staff of the Minister for Economic and Cultural Industry Anindita Kusuma Listya.

Fadli hopes that the cooperation between Indonesia and Morocco can be immediately followed up through the artist residency program, traditional music performances, cultural conferences, and museum cooperation.