Ballet soothes hearts of the needy

Ballet soothes hearts of the needy

Chisato Hara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Heart Foundation has arranged a two-day
performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by the Russian State
Ballet of Moscow as part of its annual fund-raising drive and
awareness campaign in commemoration of World Heart Day, which
falls on Sept. 28.

Preceding the matinee and evening public performances on Sept.
12 and Sept. 13 was a gala performance and dinner held at the
Hotel Mulia on Thursday, which was attended by Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, State Minister of Tourism and
Culture I Gede Ardika, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration
Jacob Nuwa Wea and His Excellency the Russian Ambassador to
Indonesia Vladimir Plotnikov.

The gala performance featured a medley of excerpts from well-
known ballets, such as the pas de deux from Harlequinada, La
Sylphide and Don Quixote.

Swan Lake is quickly becoming a tradition with the Indonesian
Heart Foundation, as this is the third time it has included the
ballet as part of its fund-raising efforts. The Houston Ballet
presented its Indonesia debut performance with the ballet in
1986, followed by the Russian State Ballet of Moscow in 1992.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Heart Foundation Nerry A. Sani
-- explaining the relationship between the foundation's work and
ballet -- said, "Ballet, and dance in general, exemplify the
relationship between heart and mind and body and soul. Dance is
not only an excellent form of aerobic exercise, it also brings an
element of grace and beauty to our lives."

Tickets for the public shows at the 800-seat Taman Ismail
Marzuki theater sold out within a week. Ticket proceeds are to be
used to help 50 children from economically disadvantaged
families, who are currently waiting to receive heart surgery.

A major mission of the foundation is to prevent further rise
in the number of those suffering from heart disease, while
providing medical assistance to the poor.

Miranda S. Goeltom, patron of the Swan Lake Show, said, "I
believe the rhythm of life begins with good health, and continues
with better health. Moreover, this event supports art and
cultural exchanges between our two countries, a key factor in
maintaining sound international relationships."

Initiating its art and cultural exchange partnership in 1981,
the foundation arranges partnerships with the government, the
private sector and foreign embassies to further its humanitarian
outreach.

For this year's event, the foundation received significant
support from the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, the Indonesian
Embassy in Moscow, various ministries, banks and private sector
companies.

The Indonesian Heart Foundation was established in 1974 and
has assisted more than 1,650 patients from poor communities. The
foundation's fund-raising activities also support its community
awareness campaigns emphasizing the danger of heart disease, its
prevention, rehabilitation of victims and educational programs
focusing on healthy lifestyles.