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