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