Theater festival to boost rights

Theater festival to boost rights

JAKARTA (JP): Four theater companies will bring up the theme
of violence in society in a Human Rights Theater Festival from
Oct. 16 to Nov. 9.

Four theater companies that will participate in the festival
are Teater Kubur, Teater Satu Merah Panggung, Lenong IKIP
Rawamangun and Bela Studio. Most of the performances will be held
in Gedung Teater Luwes, Jakarta Art Institute, Central Jakarta.

The festival is organized by 19 institutions with various
background, including Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation,
Kalyanamitra Foundation and Institute for Policy Studies and
Advocacy (ELSAM) which formed The Committee for 50th Anniversary
of Universal declaration of Human Rights.

Directed by Ratna Sarumpaet, Teater Satu Merah Panggung will
perform Marsinah Menggugat II (Marsinah Accuses II). The violent
faith that fall upon the late labor right activist seems to be
concurrent with Indonesia's current condition. The performance of
Marsinah Menggugat in several places had been banned by the New
Order's regime.

"Our need to alleviate state violence is a never ending
obsession," Ratna said.

Bandar Teater Jakarta will raise the issue of domestic
violence toward woman, while Lenong IKIP Rawamangun will perform
state violence during Majapahit era. (46)