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)