Jakarta, Jan 29 (Antara) - Indonesia's cultural heritage, especially in
Yogyakarta and Bali, have an immense potential for the development of
tourism.
The local cultural heritage in various destinations across the country has led to a spurt in tourism.
"Indonesia's
cultural heritage will continue to serve as a charm for tourism as long
as it is protected, preserved, appreciated, and developed for the
benefit of tourism and the local communities," Tourism and Creative
Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu stated on Sunday.
The minister added that the local culture can be developed by
protecting the original and traditional customs, so that they can be
appreciated by all.
Thus, if the cultural heritage is preserved and developed by the
government and local communities, it will serve as a charm for the
country's tourism development, she noted.
Tourism and culture have developed favorably in many tourist
destinations across the country, including Yogyakarta and Bali.
According to Widi Utaminigsih, chairperson of the Yogyakarta 'Widya
Budaya' Cultural Foundation, Yogyakarta has, so far, ably developed and
maintained its cultural heritage, which has drawn scores of tourists.
Yogyakarta is an attractive tourist destination because its culture has
been kept 'alive' and is preserved by the local people.
The analogous opinion was also expressed by Kadek Suartaya, an observer of Bali's arts and culture.
He pointed out that the rapid growth in Bali's tourism occurred in the
period between 1970 and 1980, and attributed this growth to the art and
cultural performances presented in special tourism packages.
He emphasized that the Ramayana ballet was one of the most endearing
tourism performances. The tourists were drawn by the theme of the epic
story. Hence, he believes that the performances must be designed
creatively to captivate the audiences. However, creativity should not
impinge upon the culture's originality.
Minister Mari E. Pangestu suggested that the local culture can be
developed by protecting the original and traditional values for drawing
appreciation from many people.
"While showcasing the cultural heritage, it is important to shed light
on the creative people who once lived in Indonesia in the past era and
those who are still living," she pointed out.
She emphasized that the greatness of the Borobudur Temple, which has
been recognized by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, not
only serves as the biggest Buddhist temple in the world, but also as a
legacy of the Indonesian people's creativity since its construction in
the ninth century.
The minister added that the productive and creative human resources in
Indonesia will enhance its competitiveness in the world tourism market.
"Cultural heritage and local wisdom will create added value, if they
are preserved, protected, and appreciated," she noted.
The minister remarked that a number of cultural heritages like 'batik'
clothes and 'wayang' puppet shows still maintained their traditional
originality, though they had been adjusted to contemporary conditions.
They gave birth to creativity, produced added value, and revived the
local skills, which were also on the verge of extinction.
Therefore, the local culture has great potential to revive local skills
and creativity as well as serve as a charm to attract tourists and
provide the base for the development of tourism in the country.
In Yogyakarta, for instance, the local cultural potential should be used as a means of developing the region's tourism.
"Yoyakarta will become more attractive to tourists if it is based on
the development of dynamic local culture," Widi Utaminingsih stated on
Tuesday.
She added that cultural-based tourism development should now be carried
out as a movement to make tourism stakeholders aware of the basic
principles that the tourism development should not forget the cultural
roots of the local people.
"Yogyakarta has a rich cultural heritage, which is still evolving in
the society. This rich cultural heritage has appealed to many tourists.
There are historical places, traditional customs, special foods, and
traditional arts," reported Widi Utaminingsih.
She noted that the diverse cultural heritage can be showcased in
different tourism packages such as cultural villages, tourism villages,
handicraft centers, and people's arts centers. A cultural-based tourism
development will reinforce Yogyakarta as a cultural center city.
"Besides that, cultural art performances should continue to be
showcased, so that the cultural arts, which mostly developed in rural
areas, will be able to attract tourists," Utaminingsih reported.
In Bali, the most well-known Indonesian tourist resort province,
cultural art performances are also organized across villages in various
districts to attract the tourists. The 'barong' (lion) and 'kecak' dance
performances were specifically integrated into special tourist art
packages.
Efforts are also on to commercially showcase sacred arts in stage
performances for boosting tourism. Bali arts observer Kadek Suartaya
stated that eight districts in Bali had different forms of art
performances with their own unique characteristics.
"The different art performances include art dances, musical
performances, and puppet shows," noted Kadek Suartaya. He explained that
the period between 1970 and 1980 was considered a glorious era for the
people of Bali, particularly for its ballet art.
The period marked the onset of the development of Bali's art forms,
which developed rapidly, while the political and economic conditions
created harmony among the people and the local arts.
The gong drama, 'kebyar' dance, and 'legong' dance were famous in the
past era of the glorious kingdoms. These lost dance forms emerged again.
The Ramayana ballet performances, specially designed for the tourists,
have gained significance and are very popular among the tourists
visiting Bali.
In the meantime, humanist Prof. Eko Budihardjo
stated that the development of Indonesia's cultural heritage should not
be limited to preservation efforts. They should be modernized in keeping
with the changing time.
"The culture is dynamic. We should not merely preserve it. The culture,
if merely preserved, will be static and will not attract the younger
generation," he noted in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday.
He emphasized that the Indonesian culture must be modernized so that
the diverse cultural heritage, which are the legacy of our forefathers,
will not be eroded by globalization.
Budihardjo cited the example of the 'wayang' puppet show where its
traditional 'gamelan' music was combined with modern musical instruments
to produce a new nuance, which appealed to the younger generations.
"This is a cultural modernization. Culture can be enriched with modern
touches, without eliminating its essence. The noble values and the
message of morality of the culture are still firmly preserved," he
pointed out. ***2***
(T.A014/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.A014/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 29-01-2014 19:43: |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar