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.