Dancers, choreographers to join anti-AIDS drive<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Traditional dancers, choreographers and puppet
\nmasters will join the anti-AIDS campaign which the government
\nplans to launch on international AIDS day this Dec. 1.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian AIDS Foundation organized a workshop yesterday
\ndealing with the dangers of the Acquired Immuno Deficiency
\nSyndrome (AIDS) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), for
\nthe benefit of those involved in traditional performances.<\/p>\n
Foundation deputy chairman Kartono Mohamad said such
\nperformances had proven effective in the past in driving home
\nvarious messages, from family planning to the government's
\ndevelopment programs.<\/p>\n
\"We have chosen traditional performances as the medium to
\ninform the public about AIDS because they have a wide audience,
\nranging from the upper to lower classes,\" Kartono told reporters
\nduring the workshop.<\/p>\n
But before they can relay the message, these performers should
\nbe fully informed about the disease, Kartono said.<\/p>\n
The traditional performances that will spearhead the anti-AIDS
\ncampaign are the drama gong from Bali, ketoprak from West Java
\nand Yogyakarta, lenong from Jakarta, ludruk from East Java,
\nrandai from West Sumatra, shadow puppet show from Central Java
\nand Yogyakarta, Srimulat group from Central Java and a wooden
\npuppet show from West Java.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's workshop was opened by the Assistant to the
\nCoordinating Minister of People's Welfare, Suyono Yahya, and
\ninvolved about 50 people, mostly traditional performers. The
\nchairwoman of the foundation, Martina Wijaya, was also present.<\/p>\n
Kartono said traditional performances are a highly-effective
\nmedium, particularly in reaching the critical lower classes.<\/p>\n
\"Lower class people, especially those moving around such as
\ntruck drivers and others with heavy traveling schedules, are
\nsusceptible to AIDS,\" Kartono said.<\/p>\n
He explained that about 90 percent of AIDS cases found in
\nIndonesia were transmitted through sexual contact -- 80 percent
\nfrom heterosexual relationships and 10 percent from homosexual
\nrelationships.<\/p>\n
Traditional dances and puppet shows may prove more effective
\nmeans of communication than newspapers or television.<\/p>\n
\"We are not asking them to change their storyline to
\naccommodate our message. We're only asking that they, in a
\ncreative way, slip the message of the danger of AIDS in their
\nperformances,\" said Kartono, who is also chairman of the
\nIndonesian Planned Parenthood Association, one of the first non-
\ngovernmental organizations to lead the anti-AIDS drive.<\/p>\n
He said the workshop is essential so that these performers,
\nchoreographers and puppet masters fully understand the disease.
\n\"They are not the only ones. Many doctors still do not know about
\nAIDS.\"<\/p>\n
Noted Yogyakarta dancer Didik Hadiprayitno, popularly known as
\nDidik Nini Thowok, welcomed the invitation to take part in the
\nanti-AIDS campaign.<\/p>\n
\"Traditional performances can reach many people, mostly the
\nunder classes,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I can insert the AIDS messages into the jokes or dialogs of
\nmy performance, but I think it will be more difficult to use
\ndance, which is full of symbolic gestures,\" Didik said.<\/p>\n
The number of people infected with HIV in Indonesia has
\ncontinued to increase. By the end of October, the government said
\n355 people had tested positive.<\/p>\n
Of these 355, 82 have developed full-blown AIDS and 50 have
\ndied. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dancers-choreographers-to-join-anti-aids-drive-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}