RI, Peru in cultural diplomacy

I Kadek Suartaya, Contributor, Lima, Peru

Through Bali and its culture, we get to know Indonesia (A Traves de Bali Se Illegal a Indonesia) was the theme of last month's Balinese cultural performance in Peru.

Although Bali is an internationally acclaimed tourist paradise, little is known about it in Latin American countries, such as Peru.

It was Indonesian Ambassador to Peru I Gusti Ngurah Swetja who started to hold the cultural shows and dialogs in Peru, a country with a population of 25 million.

This was the first time a Balinese cultural troupe performed in Peru and it was held in conjunction with Indonesia's 57th anniversary of independence.

The venue, Wisma Duta at the ambassador's residential complex, was decorated with intricate Balinese art. The gate into the compound was adorned with the famous candi bentar (two-door gate), which is usually built at the front of Balinese palaces or royal residences.

Nyoman Catra, Ida Ayu Ari Candrawati and Ni Ketut Suryatini were among the top Balinese artists presenting dances called Panyembaran, Baris, Cendrawasih, and Topeng (mask).

In the following days, the troupe was invited to perform at Museo da Nacional, Peru's National Museum in Lima, where senior puppet master I Nyoman Catra performed Arjuna Wiwaha, an episode taken from the famous Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Catra, who is pursuing his doctoral degree at Wesleyan University in the United States, eloquently performed the show in two languages, ancient Kawi and English.

The Dalem Waturenggong mask dance was performed for an audience of mostly students.

The troupe also performed in Arequipa, a beautiful town that is a one-hour flight from Lima. At 2,000 meters above sea level, it is probably one of the highest situated cities in Peru.

In Arequipa, the Balinese troupe presented the mask dance before an audience of about 200 people. Artists Ida Ayu Ari Candrawati and Ni Ketut Suryatini presented the Pangembrana dance.

In addition to the performances, the Balinese artists also held a series of lectures and meetings with local artists and students.

Organized by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica, I Nyoman Catra delivered a lecture on the traditional dances and music of Bali.

The event, which received wide media coverage, was expected to provoke local interest in Indonesia in general and Bali in particular.