Young puppeters contest organized

Young puppeters contest organized

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture is
organizing a Young Puppet Masters contest to cultivate interest
and talent among the young generation in traditional cultures and
to promote Indonesian cultures aboard.

The contest, held in cooperation with Savindo Entertainment,
opened on Friday night at the Sapta Pesona Auditorium in the
ministry building, and will be held until Dec. 4.

In the opening ceremony, 16-year-old puppet master Pamungkas
Sakti Sedono performed an act from famous epic Mahabarata called
Wahyu Makuta Rama, which is about the eight principles of
leadership.

The performance was in English.

Pamungkas is one of 10 participants in the competition, which
is limited to puppet masters of 17 years and under. More
contestants are expected to register.

The puppet masters may use Javanese, Indonesian or English to
present shadow puppet acts. Judging will be based on narration,
theme and storyline.

To judge contest participants, the jury, consisting of
Javanese cultural observers and academics, will travel to the
locations where each contestant performs his presentation.

The winners will be awarded trophies and cash prizes from the
Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture Marzuki Darusman. Following
the competition, the puppet masters will be trained in their
usage of English to participate in cultural events abroad.

"We have already received a letter of interest from an event
organizer in Pakistan, stating their interest to promote young
puppet masters there," said Sawitri, the event's chairwoman. (46)