Artists reminded about security<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that the
\ngovernment understands the need for a conducive artistic climate
\nbut that national security takes priority.<\/p>\n
\"We can all work together to create conditions and
\nopportunities (for artists to create)...\" Soeharto said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"The fundamental issue in developing the arts is in creating
\nconditions and opportunities that will enable artists to develop
\ntheir creativity to their full capacity,\" the President told
\nparticipants of the National Arts Congress.<\/p>\n
To foster creativity, \"we need the astuteness to capture the
\nchallenges of life,\" Soeharto said. \"Together we need to foster a
\nsecure and safe situation in our society.\"<\/p>\n
The message on the third day of the ongoing Congress came in
\nresponse to artists and their complaints about permits, which
\nlimit their freedom to perform and exhibit.<\/p>\n
Soeharto reminded the artists of the need for nationalism when
\nincorporating foreign elements in their work.<\/p>\n
\"Activities in the arts particularly require this nationalist
\nawareness,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's history, he said, is full of cultural exchanges
\nbetween different ethnicities and different countries.<\/p>\n
But it is the creativity of Indonesians which has molded all
\nthese influences into the nation's culture, he said. \"We need to
\nsharpen our wisdom to identify and foster the creativity among us
\nas a nation.\"<\/p>\n
\"We must not merely copy other nations ... In technique and in
\nstyle, we can mold those developed in other countries, but we
\nmust show the strength of our own identity,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
He called for increased knowledge and appreciation of various
\nlocal arts, \"to avoid the growth of narrow ethnic sentiments.\"<\/p>\n
\"Our most important task is to build and strengthen our
\nnational culture, a modern Indonesian culture rooted in our
\nheritage,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
Nearly 500 artists, officials and observers are attending the
\nconference, which ends today. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/artists-reminded-about-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}