YOGYAKARTA SERVES AS CENTER OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 26 (Antara) - One of  the country's 34 provinces, Yoyakarta, is a special region, famous for  its rich culture, education and attractive tourism destinations.      It also served as the Indonesian capital from 1946 to 1948 during the Indonesian National Revolution, and in the 16th and 17th centuries, Yoyakarta was the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram.          Thus, it is not surprising if this week Yoyakarta, which is located at the foot of  the active Merapi volcano, was crowned by ASEAN cultural and arts leaders as a center of cultural exchange for those countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.          "We will carry out many schemes, including exchanges of artists and experiences, on how to preserve cultures and cultural heritages, both tangible and intangible,"  Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy told reporters on the sidelines of the the 8th meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) held in Yogyakarta on Wednesday (Oct 24).          The AMCA meeting designated Yogyakarta as an ASEAN City of Culture.  "The most important thing for us is this historical event, in which Yogyakarta is designated as an ASEAN City of Culture for the 2018-2020 term. This is the ASEAN community's recognition of Yogyakarta as an ASEAN City of Culture for the 2018-2020 period," a member of the Indonesian education and culture minister's staff for innovation and competitiveness, Ananto Kusuma Seta, said during a press conference.

'MAPPANRETASI' FIESTA REFLECTS HARMONY IN LOCAL CULTURES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 9 (Antara) - As a country with over 700 tribal groups speaking more than one thousand local dialects in 34 provinces, Indonesia is greatly rich in local cultures which blend the country into a big nation.         Each region has its own distinctive tradition and culture yet such a tradition and culture does not necessarily develop only in the region concerned. It can also develop in other regions showcasing the country's cultural harmony.         The 'Mappanretasi' maritime fiesta, whose peak event was attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at Pegatan Beach, Tanah Bambu Sub-district, West Kalimantan, for example, is typically a Buginese traditional maritime festival from South Sulawesi.          The local people of Batulicin (capital of Tanah Bambu Sub-district) had organized the Mappanretasi maritime festival since late April in the Pegatan Beach to reflect harmony and to strengthen local cultures.          "Mappanretasi comes from the Buginese local language and consists of two words: 'mappanre' which means 'to feed' and 'tasi' which means 'sea'. It literally means to feed the sea. It is later known as a maritime fiesta. Although this tradition is descended by Buginese fishermen, the Mappanretasi tradition has been considered as the culture of all clans living in this region," Nahrul Fajeri, the head of Tanah Tumbu Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture Service, was quoted by dream.co.id online portal as saying recently.

INDONESIA'S CULTURAL DIVERSITY SUPPORTS TOURISM SECTOR

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 10 (Antara) -- Having thousands of islands with some 300 ethnic groups that speak more than 580 local dialects, Indonesia is rich in culture, which serves as the backbone of its efforts to develop the tourism industry.          The government will continue to preserve, maintain and develop the country's culture as part of efforts to attract foreign tourists, to reach its target to draw some 10.6 million tourists to Indonesia in 2015 and 20 million in the next four years.          Director General of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Culture Kacung Marijan said that it is necessary for Indonesia to develop its culture to attract more foreign tourists.          "Indonesia's culture is one of the main attractions that draw in foreign tourists to the country. A survey revealed that about 60 percent of foreign tourists come to Indonesia because they are interested in its rich culture," he told the media in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday evening last week.

CULTURE IS BASE FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

By Andi Abdussalam
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.