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)