Give traditional culture ample space: Sultan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should make space for both traditional
\nand modern cultures to prevent it losing humanitarian values,
\nYogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"Providing ample space for cultural activities is important to
\nkeep the people smooth and compassionate. Without cultural
\nactivities, a violent society will emerge,\" he told attendees at
\nthe opening ceremony of the two-day Yogyakarta's Arts and Culture
\nFestival here.<\/p>\n
\"It's also important to keep hold of our old cultures and
\ntraditions. Because nations and people who don't have traditions
\nof their own are lost nations and their people doesn't posses
\nsouls,\" he said in a prepared speech.<\/p>\n
Organized by native Yogyakartans living in Greater Jakarta,
\nthe festival, being held at the Indonesian Manpower Foundation
\n(YTKI) Building on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta, was
\ndesigned to commemorate the 253rd anniversary of the Yogyakarta
\npalace.<\/p>\n
The governor, who is also the sultan of the Yogyakarta
\nkingdom, also said he disagreed with the gap between royal and
\npopular cultures.<\/p>\n
\"Royal cultures can be transferred to the people and popular
\ncultures can be adopted by the palace. There are interactions
\nbetween both cultures which can then synthesize into a new form
\nof culture,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's also untrue that the palace is the center of cultural
\nactivities. The difference is not in the hierarchy but rather in
\nthe performances,\" added the sultan.<\/p>\n
Also present at the opening ceremony was Jakarta Governor
\nSutiyoso and the head of the Jakarta-based diplomatic corps,
\nPalestinian Ambassador Ribhi Y. Awad.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Sutiyoso said he appreciated art festivals like
\nthis one and hoped other provinces would soon send cultural teams
\nto promote their local cultures.<\/p>\n
\"We have diverse arts and cultures from our provinces. They
\ncan stage their arts and cultures here for promotion. I hope this
\nfestival will attract other provinces to organize similar
\nfestivals of their own,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The cities (Jakarta and Yogyakarta) have had a relationship
\nsince the 17th century when Sultan Agung, Mataram's first king,
\ninvaded Batavia to get rid of the Dutch.<\/p>\n
The relationship became stronger when the capital moved to
\nYogyakarta from 1945 to 1949, he added.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso pointed to several places in Jakarta related to the
\nJavanese kingdom, such as Matraman and Kampung Jawa in East
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was highlighted by a parade of palace soldiers,
\ngrebeg maulud processions and artisans from the four regencies
\nand one mayoralty that comprise Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Bantul regency performed a Reog dance followed by Gunungkidul
\nwith a Campursari dance. Kulonprogo regency then treated
\nattendees with a Jatilan performance, with an Angguk dance from
\nSleman regency close behind. Yogyakarta mayoralty topped things
\noff with a Bancak Doyok humorous dance.<\/p>\n
After the opening ceremony, both governors then visited the
\nexhibition stands featuring a wide range of Yogyakarta
\nhandicrafts, such as batik, pewter and leather goods, shadow
\npuppets, blangkon caps, and Yogyakartan culinary treats.<\/p>\n
Visitors were interested to see a stand displaying hand-made
\nguitars painted with batik motifs.<\/p>\n
\"We don't mass produce these batik guitars. Most of them are
\ncustom made and sell for export at between US$1,500 to US$2,000
\neach,\" Haryo Sasongko from the stand told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"The Jimmy Hendrix museum in Seattle, Washington, has one of
\nour guitars,\" he boasted.<\/p>\n
\"We also sell cheaper guitars for Rp 1.5 to Rp 2 million ($180
\nto $245) for youngsters,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The event also features a Yogyakartan blangkon master, Wagimin
\nDarmo Wiyono, who is exhibiting his talents in making the cap.<\/p>\n
\"I usually sell the caps for Rp 50,000 to Rp 90,000. The price
\ndepends on the cloth and the quality of the work,\" he told the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the venue for the exhibition is not large
\nenough to accommodate all the exhibitors and visitors, giving it
\na crowded and hectic vibe.<\/p>\n
An all-night long wayang kulit performance, a fashion show
\npresenting a century of Yogyakarta court dresses from
\nHamengkubuwono VII (1877-1921) to the present and a royal wedding
\nceremony are also scheduled. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/give-traditional-culture-ample-space-sultan-1447893297",
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