Category: Lifestyle

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini was amazed by the singing skill of girl with vision disability, Oktria Nofianti, while she was in Pangkalpinang Mayor’s official residence in Bangka Belitung.

“This golden voice is a gift that God gives to anyone, because God is all-just and self-sufficient,” she said in a written statement received in Pangkalpinang on Sunday.

The singer, Oktria Nofianti, 20, was the third child of Kastini, a family of beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program with. She had a chance to converse with the minister, and she conveyed her intention to sing in Japanese.

Currently, Nofianti is still in twelfth grade at YPC Pangkalpinang Special High School. Her limitations do not stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Nofianti said that her passion of music started early, because she often listened to songs when she was younger. When she entered school, she was offered to take part in a competition. Much to her own surprise, she won second place on a provincial level in 2013, when she participated in competition for the first time.

Her success story continues. “The most impressive thing is that in 2016, I went to Manado by a plane. Also In 2020, I won the first place, even though (the competition was hosted) online,” she proudly recounted her achievements.

She also mastered bocce, in which she also won its championship.

“Aside from participating in a singing competition, I have also participated in the National Student Sports Competition, and thank God I won the first place at the Provincial level and the national runner up number I. The branch of the competition I participated in was boci (bocce),” Nofianti said.

Bocce is a type of sport that involves throwing or rolling a heavy ball as close as possible to a small target ball.

Rismaharini has been present in Pangkalpinang since Saturday, December 18. She did several activities during the course of the day, such as handing out assistance.

The ministry’s logistical assistance for Bangka Belitung Province was recorded at Rp. 727,328,390. For the tidal flood victims in Batu Belubang Village, Central Bangka District, the assistance came in many forms. One of them were basic needs packages alongside others, with a total value of Rp175,880,640.

The ministry also allocated basic needs packages for West Bangka Regency as many as 300 packages worth Rp. 54,000,000.

At the Pangkalpinang Mayor’s Official House, Rismaharini handed over a total of Rp1,477,295,580 for attention assistance. The aid comprises was aimed for orphans, entrepreneurship, accessibility, and basic needs. There were a total of 919 beneficiaries.

Source: Antara News

The 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, held in Paris, France, on 15th December, 2021, recognized gamelan as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“The gamelan inscription, nominated by Indonesia since 2019, has become Indonesia’s 12th cultural heritage acknowledged by UNESCO,” Indonesia’s Ambassador for France, Andorra, Monako, Mohamad Oemar, noted in his statement on Wednesday.

Gamelan is a traditional form of music often encountered in various regions in Indonesia, such as Bali, Madura and Lombok. The term Java gamelan generally refers to gamelan in Central Java.

The musical instrument is suspected to have been around since 404 BC, which can be seen from the relief in Borobudur and Prambanan temple.

Gamelan is not only played for art performances, but it is also played for various traditional activities and religious ceremonies.

UNESCO recognized the philosophical value of gamelan as a medium for cultural expression and building connections between humankind and the universe.

UNESCO also acknowledged that gamelan, which is played in an orchestra, teaches the values of mutual respect and compassion.

Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim stressed he is proud as gamelan has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

“The art of gamelan continues to be studied, developed and passed on from generation and generation since its introiduction,” he noted.

“For Indonesians, gamelan is a part of national identity and pride. Gamelan has even embellished Indonesia’s music culture scene. In addition, gamelan music also inspires and has significant contributions to world music,” he added.

Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s Culture Director-General Hilmar Farid also happily welcomed the news.

UNESCO’s acknowledgement is a confirmation of the world’s acknowledgement, which will improve Indonesia’s image in the international stage.

“This means our job is to preserve the cultural inheritance of gamelan. This should also be a challenge for us all to show the world Indonesia’s efforts to advance culture,” he stated.

Source: Antara News

Although the Japanese Cave in Sumberker village, Samofa sub-district, Biak Numfor district, Papua province, has quite an interesting history, it is less popular than other historical tourism sites in Indonesia.

However, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry believes that the cave will become a prominent tourist attraction if it is managed professionally according to global tourism standards.

Director of tourism destination development of regional II at the ministry, Wawan Gunawan, said that the site has tremendous potential and is capable of rivaling Vietnam’s War Remnants Museum.

The 45 meter (m) deep and 180 m long cave is among the popular destinations in the district, he informed. According to the website of the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Papua Regional Office, visitors only need to shell out Rp25 thousand to enter the site.

There are hundreds of remnants of World War II, including light and heavy weapons, bullets, helmets, planes, tanks, bombs, foodware, swords, and medical equipment, in the front yard of the site, Gunawan said.

Visitors can use the stairs to walk to the cave and there are a number of huts where they can rest, he added.

Initially, the site housed a natural cave that was often used by local people as a resting place, he informed. It had many beautiful stalactites and a spring, whose water was used by the community for their daily needs, he said.

The locals call the cave ‘Abyab Binsari’ which means ‘Grandma’s cave’, he added. According to one folktale, there was an old woman who lived around the cave. However, once the Japanese soldiers arrived, she disappeared without a trace, he said.

The army landed for the first time in Biak Island in 1943, bringing around 10 thousand soldiers who were then posted to several places in Biak Numfor district, including the cave, North Biak sub-district, West Biak sub-district, East Biak sub-district, and Ambroben Sup Forest, and in Supiori district.

They built fortresses on the coasts, forests, and caves, with the Japanese Cave serving as their logistic center and hideout, Gunawan said. There were three thousand personnel led by Colonel Kuzume Naoyuki stationed at the site, he added.

However, the allied troops commanded by General Douglas McArthur found the hideout. Thus, on June 7, 1944, the troops dropped bombs and fuel drums on the cave, claiming the lives of more than three thousand Japanese soldiers, he said.

The location was designated as one of the World War II historical attractions in 1980, he added.

Strengthening Tourism Sites

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has encouraged the strengthening of various tourism sites in Biak Numfor district, Papua province, to turn them into quality and sustainable destinations to attract more visitors and revive the local economy.

Accompanied by the head of the Biak Numfor District Tourism Office, Gunawan reviewed the development of several tourism destinations funded by the 2021 Special Allocation Fund (DAK) on Tourism Sector.

The sites comprised the Japanese Cave in Samofa sub-district, an art stage at Cendrawasih Museum in Biak Kota sub-district, Wardo Rest Area in West Biak sub-district, and Tanjung Saruri Water Blow in Yawosi sub-district.

In addition, Gunawan reviewed the preparations for the development of Yennyabo Sorido Beach in Biak Kota sub-district, which would be carried out using the 2022 DAK.

He visited the tourism attractions on Wednesday while preparing a mass vaccination center for Biak Numfor district, which will also be supported by the ministry.

He emphasized that the ministry is committed to supporting the development of tourism destinations in the district, in line with Presidential Instruction Number 9/2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua and West Papua provinces.

It was also in accordance with the 2020-2024 National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) on Tourism Destinations Development (DPP) in Biak-Cendrawasih Bay.

“The preparation of quality, competitive, integrated, and sustainable tourism attractions in Biak Numfor district can be strengthened by making an interesting calendar of events and travel patterns,” Gunawan said.

With attractive narratives, the travel pattern — in the form of historical and religious tourism — can draw both domestic and foreign tourists, he added.

He then lauded the strong commitment of the district government in developing strategic local tourism destinations.

This can be seen from the utilization of the DAK in the 2017-2021 fiscal year, which was carried out on target with an adequate budget and great benefits for the destinations, he said.

In addition, the fund allocation for the 2022-2024 fiscal year shows the government’s support for sustainable tourism, he added.

Furthermore, the establishment of the art stage at Cendrawasih Museum as a creative space for community members to express themselves can support the development of cultural tourism in the district, he noted.

In the future, various arts and cultural communities will be able to perform there and collaborate with each other to carry out sustainable activities, he said.

“It will provide an added value in accelerating economic recovery for the welfare of the people of Biak Numfor district,” the ministry director added.

Improving the Japanese Cave

Meanwhile, the head of the Biak Numfor District Tourism Office, Oni Dangeubun, expressed his gratitude to the ministry for its commitment to supporting the development of tourism and creative economy in the district.

“The Biak Numfor district government lauds the commitment of the ministry to continue supporting the development of destinations in our district. We expect that the support will continue in the following years,” he remarked.

He said that in December 2019, his office planned to propose the Japanese Cave as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

Hence, officials tried to complete the administrative requirements for the proposal and improve the accessibility and amenity of the destination by collaborating with the local bank and police to renovate the entrance gate and toilets at the destination, he informed.

They also cooperated with the Papua Provincial Tourism Office to provide quality human resources to manage the tourism destination, he added.

Since the cave is often visited by Japanese tourists, the head of Biak Numfor district, Herry Ario Naap, said he expected to have a direct flight made operational from Japan to the district.

He conveyed the hope while accompanying the former Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Ishii Masafumi, to the historical site in February 2020.

Developing the potential of the Japanese Cave will surely advance the tourism sector and creative industry in the district as well as improve the locals’ economy and welfare.

Source: Antara News

The Setu Babakan Betawi cultural village has won first place in the CHSE category (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability) at the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Awards organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Head of the Jakarta Cultural Office, Iwan Henry Wardhana, said 1,831 tourism villages were considered for the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Awards. The villages were assessed in seven categories: CHSE, tourist attractions, homestays, toilets, souvenirs, digital villages, and creative content, he informed.

“We are very grateful that in this CHSE category, Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village or in the nomination called Kampung Betawi Tourism Village ranked first among 50 other tourism villages,” Wardhana remarked here on Wednesday.

Moreover, Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, also lauded the achievement, he added.

“Today, we have reported to Governor Baswedan (about the award), and he is very proud and appreciated it and the management unit of Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village,” he added.

According to Wardhana, the award was a realization of the motto “Jakarta City of Collaboration”, which refers to the active involvement of stakeholders in chieving joint purposes.

The Betawi cultural village passed many stages of selection, starting from the top 300 to top 100, and was finally chosen as one of the best 50 tourism villages, he informed. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, also visited the village, he said.

“We thank and honor all involved parties such as regional officials unit (SKPD), and those from the village and city level, as well as surrounding communities who helped to realize this result together,” Wardhana added.

According to its official website, Betawi Cultural Village is a center for observing Betawi culture, traditions, customs, and arts. The tourism site also offers water activities, agro-tourism, and cultural tours.

Source: Antara News

The Museum of Nan Baanjuang Traditional House in Bukittinggi city’s Kinantan Zoological Park has 600 historical artifacts comprising local ancient cultural objects and relics, a cultural expert has said.

“Some 600 artifacts are divided into eight collections assembled in the Gadang House, which was formerly Bundo Kanduang Museum,” Silvia Devi informed during an awareness-raising activity on the use of historic museums at Bung Hatta Palace at Bukittinggi on Wednesday.

The collection includes miniatures of traditional architecture, traditional clothing and home supplies, livelihood tools, art, martial arts, and preserved animals, she said.

According to Devi, the traditional house, which is the best museum in Bukittinggi city, West Sumatra, was built by a Dutch national in 1953.

“Based on the Bukittinggi City Regulation No.5 of 2005, it was built by Modelar Countrolleur, a Dutch national. The building area is 2,798 sq m, with the shape of Gadang Bagonjong Gajah Maharam House with nine rooms,” she informed.

She pointed out that the building has platforms on the left and right sides in the shape of rangkiang and made with wood and palm fiber. “In 1956, a statue of Kabau Pedati was added, which was then managed and owned by the Education and Culture Office of Bukittinggi city,” she added.

She said the current problems in introducing history through museums and stoking the interest of visitors in learning about culture must be solved together by agencies.

“The information on historical objects and collections such as (their) origin, function, value, and meaning has to be optimized,” Devi affirmed.

She also expressed the hope that competent personnel such as conservators, registrars, and exhibition designers will be recruited in addition to the provision of technical training for tour guides.

Moreover, their structuring or organization based on educational background and skills needs to be done, she added.

“In terms of other resources, collections’ inventory and registration can be executed, such as by creating a good information system and utilizing facilities and infrastructure that are in accordance with the function and have aesthetic value,” she explained.

The history museum socialization activities were organized by the Education and Culture Office of Bukittinggi city, which were joined by many residents who were expected to attract interest in and development of historical education, she said.

Source: Antara News