Blend modern, traditional cultures, says Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must integrate traditional and modern cultures to be able to advance without shedding its national identity, President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Saturday.

"If we can do that, we will become an advanced nation with its own identity," Gus Dur, as the President is popularly known, said in inaugurating the Cultural and National Unity Exhibition at the Senayan Sports Hall.

Combining traditional and modern cultures must be seen as an integral part of the nation's efforts to integrate all the nation's strengths, he said in off-the-cuff remarks.

One of the biggest challenges facing Indonesia in building a democracy was bringing together its diverse cultural strengths into one powerful force, he said.

"We have to turn this diversity for the benefit of all of us, and not for separatist goals," he said.

Gus Dur, a prolific cultural critic before he took up the presidency in October, disclosed on Friday his intention to set up a new council to preserve and develop the national culture.

During a visit to Yogyakarta, he announced that Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X would chair the council, which has yet to be named.

Taking part in the cultural exhibition, which will last until Friday, are 24 provinces, several state and private companies and the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Provincial administrations are displaying mostly traditional products such as handicraft and clothes from their regions.

Besides the exhibition, there will be various cultural shows throughout the week.

The President said the nation must fight to keep its cultural diversity, which he described as "God's blessing".

The nation must also participate in the globalization process whereby advances in technology and science were very important, he said.

Present at the inauguration were Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, some members of the President's Cabinet and dignitaries, including foreign envoys.

Abdul Wahid Azis Bisri, head of the organizing committee, said the event was meant to unite the diverse cultures of the country.

"Cultural diversity can be a rope to bind us as a united nation," Bisri said, adding that cultures could give spiritual and inner calm to people, he said.

During the occasion, the President and Vice President made the first impressions with paint on a large canvas. Noted painter Delsi Samsuar will complete the painting, which will be put up for auction at the end of the exhibition, the proceeds of which will be used to help the victims of last month's earthquake in Bengkulu. (01)