Papua art congress opens

Papua art congress opens

JAYAPURA, Papua: Around 300 artists from across the country
are taking part in an art congress, which was opened by Papua
Governor JP Solossa on Monday.

According to head of Jakarta Arts Council Ratna Sarumpaet, the
congress, which runs until Aug. 27 at the Cendrawasih Sports
Center in Jayapura, aimed to formulating the roles of the arts
council, promoting its significant role as the government's
partner in dealing with the nation's many problems.

"Cultural approaches are the right approaches (in dealing with
problems) since it contains human values, an approach that is
often disregarded by the government because of its lack of
understanding of what culture really means," she said.

Hope that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or one of his
ministers would attend the congress was not materialized.

"I'm really disappointed that (the President) did not come.
This moment is important to show that the government cares for
culture," said head of Papua Arts Council John Ibo.

Disappointment was also expressed by head of the Aceh Arts
Council Teuku Kamal. "We hoped the President would come, but he
didn't. Even his minister did not show up," he said. -- JP