Indonesian Gamelan for the World

Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Advisor to the Minister on Socio-Cultural Affairs and Indonesian Overseas Empowerment, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, had officially delivered the certificate for gamelan as Intangible Cultural Heritage from UNESCO to the Directorate of Preservation of the National Archives of Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), Drs. Agus Santoso, M.Hum., and the General Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D. at Surakarta City Hall, on Friday evening during the Mahambara Gamelan Nusantara concert: “Gamelan Indonesia untuk Dunia” (Indonesian Gamelan for the World) as a special moment of celebration for such a historical achievement.

The General Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D., consecutively delivered a copy of the UNESCO’s gamelan as Intangible Cultural Heritage certificate to 14 Provincial Governments (Central Java, Special District of Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java, Bali, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Lampung, West Sumatera, South Sumatera, Bangka Belitung, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara), Surakarta Art Institute and the family of Maestro of Gamelan, the late Rahayu Supanggah as well as Prof. Made Bandem as parties deemed meritorious in the proses of proposing gamelan as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Mahambara Gamelan Nusantara Show: “Gamelan Indonesia untuk Dunia” (Indonesian Gamelan for the World) which was so magnificent, attractive and charming was performed as a part of the certification event featuring three gamelan shows, namely; a performance by Kinarya Budaya, a gamelan group consisting of officials and staff of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, followed by a salute concert, Tribute to Rahayu Supanggah presenting 3 compositions, Tembang Suwuk, Gendhing Eskargo and Gending Jo Dirasake.”

The main performance ushered Paramagangsa concert featuring various gamelan play styles: Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, Sunda, Banyuwangi, Blora, Banyumas and Kutai Kartanegara, enriched by musical performance from Minang and Makassar by 200 artists representing different musical styles for a total of 42 minutes.

Citizens of Solo and nearby areas seemed very enthusiastic and showed big appreciation for the entire Paramagangsa concert on Friday evening at the Surakarta City Hall.

Directorate of Cultural Development and Utilization of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Restu Gunawan, M.Hum., said, “Thank you to the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka who had made it possible for this venue to be used for our purpose. This has been a collaborative work by numerous parties that gamelan can now achieve such a prestigious status.”

“Gamelan Indonesia untuk Dunia” which was so magnificent, attractive and charming was performed as a part of the certification event featuring three gamelan shows, namely; a performance by Kinarya Budaya.

Not only to be given the status. but also for us to develop further together, let’s utilize our gamelan which has a very high artistical and cultural value. Hopefully our youth may continue on learning how to play the gamelan. Because with such art we can together build tolerance, togetherness, helping each other, and other things.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Minister on Socio-Cultural Affairs and Indonesian Overseas Empowerment, Siti Nugraha Mauludia, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia expressed her commendations upon the success of gamelan being UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The success is contributed to the excellent commitment and collaboration between stake holders. The acknowledgement holds an important meaning for the Indonesian cultural diplomacy where gamelan has become the 12th on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.

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