'Nyanyian Indonesia' Set to Awaken Spirit of Sumpah Pemuda
Jakarta. The Cipta Asa Nusantara Foundation, in collaboration with the Cipta Olah Persada community, will present national and traditional songs and dances during a gala performance titled "Nyanyian Indonesia" ("Indonesian Songs") at the Sentul International Convention Center in Bogor on Tuesday (24/10) to celebrate the upcoming National Youth Pledge Day.
"Indonesia is blessed with a rich variety of cultures and traditions," Cipta Asa Nusantara Foundation chairman Johan Makmur said during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday. "But unfortunately, many of our young people no longer appreciate them these days."
He said this situation helps to breed the seeds of disunity among young Indonesian people and it might jeopardize the country's the future.
Johan came up with an idea last year of presenting a gala performance of Indonesian culture that would bring together young people from many different backgrounds.
He then contacted Cipta Olah Persada, a youth community focusing in art and culture, to help him organize the event.
"Johan's idea is so big and a bit crazy, but we admire his spirit of unifying Indonesia through art and culture. Therefore, we're willing to help him," said Cipta Olah Persada representative Puguh, who also directs "Nyanyian Indonesia."
The community involved 325 singers and dancers – all of them university students – for the event.
"The performers come from many different cities, cultural backgrounds and religions," Puguh said. "They unite and work hard together for this big event."
The event is also supported by the presidential working unit on the implementation of Pancasila as the state ideology.
"This is a brilliant idea," said Yudi Latief, head of the presidential working unit. "Indonesia has 1,340 tribes and 564 languages. How else can we encourage people to respect and be appreciative of one another, but through art and cultural performances such as this?"
The presidential working unit has invited students, teachers and lecturers of state and private high schools and universities in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang to attend the event, which will also be open to the public. Entry will be free of charge.
An estimated 10,000 people are expected to attend the event, scheduled to be opened by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Performances will be divided into three chapters.
The first will involve traditional songs and dances from the western part of Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan.
The second will showcase songs and dances from the eastern part of Indonesia, including Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua.
"All the performers will be dressed in the traditional attires of the regions," Yudi said.
Photos of the first Youth Congress in 1926 and the second in 1928, which led to the youth pledge, will also be featured on large LED screens at the venue during the event.
The final chapter of the event will involve the performance of a medley of Indonesian national songs. Joy Tobing, the winner of the first season of Indonesian Idol in 2004, will sing a new song titled "Indonesia Hebat" ("Great Indonesia") at the end of the medley.
"The song will invoke pride among young people [attending the event] in the greatness of Indonesia and encourage them to work together to develop the country," Joy said.
The event will conclude at around 5.30 p.m. with all the performers and attendees reciting the youth pledge, just like young people did during the second Youth Congress in Jakarta back in 1928.
"It will be the climax of the event and a new, important milestone for this country, in which thousands of millennials will pledge, together, to defend Indonesia's unity," Yudi said.
Tags: Keywords: