Australia's national anthem to be played at Bali memorial concert
Australia's national anthem to be played at Bali memorial concert
I Wayan Juniartha and Tiarma Siboro, Jimbaran, Bali
Australian national anthem Advance Australia Fair will be played
during Monday's memorial concert for those killed in the Oct. 12
bomb attacks here, conductor Addie MS said on Sunday.
Addie brushed aside speculation the move would trigger a
hostile reaction from the 7,000-strong audience invited to the
musical performance, following nation-wide raids targeting
Indonesians in Australia.
"We should not condemn the whole nation for any action
committed by just a few people. I believe that we, Indonesia as a
nation, don't want to be labeled as barbaric people just because
violent conflicts are taking place in some parts of our country,"
Addie said.
Most of 190 people killed in the blasts were Australians.
Addie will lead the Twilite Orchestra to perform the memorial
concert at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Bukit
Jimbaran, 30 kilometers south of the provincial capital of
Denpasar. The concert will be broadcast live on SCTV, starting at
7 p.m., West Indonesia time.
United Care For Bali (UCFB), which organized the event, has
distributed 7,000 invitations to both Jakarta and Bali.
The Australian national anthem will be played after the
Indonesian anthem Indonesia Raya.
"Initially, we thought of putting the Australian National
Anthem out of our program. But, after much consideration, we
decided to play the anthem. After all, this memorial concert is
about two nations, who share a long history of friendship and
mutual respect. They are now trying to survive the bitter and
terrible ordeal of losing their people in the bombings," Addie
said.
Fourteen pieces will be performed at the concert, including
such inspirational pieces as Amazing Grace, Hymn to the Fallen,
The Beatles' Imagine, Tanah Tumpah Darahku (My home soil), and
You'll Never Walk Alone.
Tenor Christopher Abimanyu, soprano Linda Sitinjak, famous
child singer Sherina, Rio Febrian, Twilite Chorus and the Udayana
University Choir are among the performers.
"I don't know if al-Qaeda did the bombing or about whether
Australian intelligence has done to our compatriots in Australia
some injustice. I don't want to talk about politics.
"Through the concert we only want to share our feelings, our
respect, and send our condolences to those who have lost their
loved ones in the tragedy, Indonesian and Australian alike,"
Addie said.