Cross-cultural week begins in Yogya

JAKARTA (JP): Shadow puppet show Petruk Takon Bapa (Petruk Asks Father) will mark the opening of a week-long Indonesian and French culture exhibition and discussion in Yogyakarta today.

Organized by the French Cultural Center and the Information and Research Institute (ALOCITA), the event aims to represent the voice and works of known artists from both cultures and encourage an interchange of intellectual ideas and culture.

A poster exhibition, on display today, features the works of students of the turbulent times of 1968 in France. A telling documentary accompanies the display.

French movies by modernists J.L. Godard, J. Rivette and E. Rohmer and a couple of Indonesian movies are scheduled to be screened at the University of Gadjah Mada from Saturday to Monday.

A discussion on the happenings of May 1968, a historical moment in French history, and its effects worldwide will be held on Tuesday in the ALOCITA building. Among culture observers, poets and intellectuals scheduled to attend the discussion are Kuntowijoyo, Jean Couteau and Mustofa Bisri.

A discussion on the Indonesian version of author Julien Benda's Betrayal of the Intellectual Community, written in 1927, will be held the following day at the French Cultural Center.

A discussion on Ayu Utami's book Saman, winner of this year's Chairil Anwar Literary Award, will also be held at the center on May 28 and May 29. (ylt)