Banyumas victors in band festival

Banyumas victors in band festival

SEMARANG: Banyumas branch of the Association of Indonesian
Blind People (Pertuni) won the first championship at the Band
Festival for the Blind held recently at Taman Budaya Raden Saleh.

It is claimed to be the first-ever festival of its kind in the
country.

According to Dewi Rinawati of the festival's organizing
committee, as many as 10 bands participated in the festival,
although initially there were 15 applicants.

Kudus branch was the runner-up, while Pemalang was in third
place.

Pertuni provincial chairman Suryandaru, who is himself blind,
expressed happiness that blind people from across Central Java
could gather to participate in the festival to show their skill
in playing in a band.

"Such an event has provided positive publicity for us. We also
want to ask both sighted people and those facing blindness to
appreciate how we live: This is our world," Suryandaru said.

He added that many blind people work as solo organ players.
Yet, people seem to prefer that a sighted musician play at these
events.

"At this event, therefore, both blind and sighted musicians
competed with each other to display their skill and improve their
music-playing abilities.

"This way, we can create alternative ways for blind people to
make a living to support their families," he said. -- JP