Artists reminded about security

Artists reminded about security

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that the
government understands the need for a conducive artistic climate
but that national security takes priority.

"We can all work together to create conditions and
opportunities (for artists to create)..." Soeharto said
yesterday.

"The fundamental issue in developing the arts is in creating
conditions and opportunities that will enable artists to develop
their creativity to their full capacity," the President told
participants of the National Arts Congress.

To foster creativity, "we need the astuteness to capture the
challenges of life," Soeharto said. "Together we need to foster a
secure and safe situation in our society."

The message on the third day of the ongoing Congress came in
response to artists and their complaints about permits, which
limit their freedom to perform and exhibit.

Soeharto reminded the artists of the need for nationalism when
incorporating foreign elements in their work.

"Activities in the arts particularly require this nationalist
awareness," he said.

Indonesia's history, he said, is full of cultural exchanges
between different ethnicities and different countries.

But it is the creativity of Indonesians which has molded all
these influences into the nation's culture, he said. "We need to
sharpen our wisdom to identify and foster the creativity among us
as a nation."

"We must not merely copy other nations ... In technique and in
style, we can mold those developed in other countries, but we
must show the strength of our own identity," the President said.

He called for increased knowledge and appreciation of various
local arts, "to avoid the growth of narrow ethnic sentiments."

"Our most important task is to build and strengthen our
national culture, a modern Indonesian culture rooted in our
heritage," Soeharto said.

Nearly 500 artists, officials and observers are attending the
conference, which ends today. (anr)