Free art shows for anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): A national art and musical festival, featuring local musical and dance performances from all 27 provinces, will be held from Aug. 19 to 21 at the Jakarta Convention Center and the Senayan stadium.

The festival is one of the myriad of programs being held nationwide to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Suparmo, a member of the organizing committee, said that on Aug. 17, the festival's participants will perform at the state palace before President Soeharto and a number of dignitaries, including cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.

The performance will be one of the main attractions in the golden anniversary ceremony held at the palace. The performance will be broadcast live by the state-owned television station, TVRI.

Performances will be presented to public free of charge. "We hope people could enjoy the performances and appreciate our own arts and cultures," Suparmo said.

He said that the festival has various objectives, including introducing local music and dances to the public; increasing people's appreciation of local arts; and giving greater chances for local artists to compare their works with those of their counterparts from other provinces.

Included among the 27 dances are Lampung's Layang Kasiwan, North Sulawesi's Lingga Buwa, Bengkulu's Arak Tabot, West Java's Doger Kontrak, Irian's Anak Perdamaian, Jakarta's Lenggo Jingke, South Sulawesi's Ripa Buntingan, Aceh's Ratoh Talo, East Java's Bersih Desa, South Sumatra's Bercande, Central Sulawesi's Dolidindawa, Maluku's Sasi and West Nusatenggara's Suba Monca.

The organizers will pick the best participants, based on their performances in general, technical aspects, discipline and management.

A team of 15 judges will choose ten best performances, five best choreographers, five best conductors and the most disciplined group.

The team is chaired by Soedarsono, rector of the Yogyakarta- based Indonesia Institute of Arts.(29/05)