Earth purification activities continue
JAKARTA (JP): A multitude of social and cultural activities are being held across the country in conjunction with Ruwatan Bumi, the earth purification ceremony.
More than 100 events have been organized by the Indonesian Alliance for the Earth and the Community in a bid to arouse awareness and find solutions to the country's problems.
The activities began earlier this month and will continue until mid May.
In the capital, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), will hold a ceremony which includes the cutting of a traditional rice cone, a public dialog on imported waste, an antinuclear campaign, and art and music displays at the Bulungan Youth Center, in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta on April 22.
Art exhibitions are to include work by graphic artists such as Dodo Karundeng, Hanung Mahadi, Yadi RW and others whose works hang in galleries at the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Central Jakarta, from April 15 through April 25.
Another exhibition will be held in the Ministry of Education and Culture's Fine Arts Gallery in Gambir, Central Jakarta, from April 26 through April 30. The exhibition features, among others, artists Semsar Siahaan, Heri Dono, Herry Dim, Dadang Christanto and Tisna Sanjaya.
A workshop on alternative housing for the poor will be organized by the Architecture of LG and Associates, the Center for the Development of Transformative Social Sciences (LPIST), and others at the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) on April 30.
Other activities include book launches, the distribution of basic commodities, community health services, discussions and seminars on social and environmental issues.
Music performances featuring Leo Kristi, Slamet Abdul Syukur, Marusya Nainggolan, Embi C. Noer, Boi G. Sakti, and others will be held at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta from April 30 through May 3.
Bogor
In Bogor, West Java, events include discussions and environmentally friendly activities staged at Bogor Botanical Gardens from April 18 through April 26.
Bandung, West Java, will also stage unique events. Coordinated by artist Herry Dim, the events between April 15 and April 25 have been called Kado Untuk Latief, a gift for the new Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Abdul Latief.
Bandung artists will organize a cultural oration featuring Harry Roesli, and a multimedia art exhibition supported by Studio Pohaci and other artists.
A poverty alleviation program will be organized by the Bandung Artistic Community for Poverty.
Yogyakarta, home to many talented artists, has a heavy schedule.
Dadang Christanto is holding an installation exhibition along Jl. Malioboro. Artists here are also organizing "earth cleansing" ceremonies at Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi.
Religious activities will also enrich Yogyakarta events. Thousands of Moslems are expected to perform the istigoshah prayer on April 25.
In Surabaya, a seminar titled Kartini VS Kartini will discuss the problems facing Indonesian women. Speakers include the wife of former minister of education and culture Ati Wardiman, radio presenter/public relations figure Debra Yatim and cultural writer Sirikit Syah.
Puppet master Ki Hadi Sujiwo Tejo will present a show called Sinta Harassment on April 20 through April 25 at the French Cultural Center (CCF) in Surabaya, East Java.
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, a special earth cleansing ceremony will be held in accordance with Bugis-Makasar tradition on April 22.
Bali is to present a number of art exhibitions and workshops organized by the Wisnu Foundation in Denpasar.
Balinese artists and religious communities will also hold a ritual led by prominent religious leader Ibu Gedong Bagus Oka to safeguard the earth and human beings.
East Nusa Tenggara province will also take part, holding several regreening as well as community health service programs.
Although living far away from their country of origin, the Indonesian community in Berkeley, California in the United States, is also planning programs. These include tree-planting activities, art and music displays from April 2 through April 22. (raw)