RI, Peru in cultural diplomacy

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.