The Excitement of World Culture Carnival in WCF 2016

Denpasar - I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung field or known as Puputan square in Bali looked different this evening. More than 1000 people gathered there to enliven the Cultural Carnival as part of the series of activities to support the World Culture Forum (WCF) 2016. A variety of art performances from Indonesia and other countries were merrily featured in the carnival, showcasing the cultural expression and diversity the world possesses.

The carnival begun with the appearance of Balinese girls performing Sekar Jempiring, a Balinese traditional dance. It is a mascot dance of Denpasar city. This dance tells story of the fragrance of Jempiring flower that grows in Denpasar, Bali. The white and clean color of the flower symbolizes Denpasar city administration which is clean and in good performance.

After that, the carnival resumed with the reading of Traditional Dance Festival Declaration by the International Folk Dance Festival (IFDF) participants, one of events in the WCF 2016. Suzie Moya Benitez of the Philippines read the declaration among more than one hundred IFDF participants who wear their countries’ traditional costumes. This declaration is an agreement between IFDF participants from 13 countries, including Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Italy, Indonesia, and Thailand. One of the points agreed in the declaration is the agreement of sustained and preserved culture to be passed on to next generations.

Education and Culture Ministry’s Director General of Culture Hilmar Farid officially opened the World Cultural Carnival WCF 2016. The opening is marked with the firing of Cakra Bhuwana Mandala Budaya arrows by Hilmar Farid. In puppet story, chakra is a best weapon in fighting wrathful evil. Chakra Mandala Bhuwana Budaya fired in the opening acted as a symbol of maintaining the peace in culture world.

In his speech, Hilmar said that this carnival was held as part of activities of the WCF 2016 and serves as a place to express the diverse culture of each country. He explained that he had talked to several participants, and they have agreed that the world needs more forums to express the culture and cultural ideas.

“The key message is that diversity is part of human life, and culture is our strength to be united and making friendship in the world,” he said in Puputan Square, Bali, (11/10/2016).

Dirjen Kebudayaan, Hilmar Farid membuka pelaksanaan Karnaval Budaya Dunia, dalam rangka penyelenggaraan WCF 2016. Education and Culture Ministry’s Director General of Culture Hilmar Farid officially opened the World Cultural Carnival in WCF 2016 The carnival was filled with art performances from Indonesia and other countries. Indonesia performed Reog Ponorogo, a traditional art from East Java. Thailand delegation featured Kala Dance from Northeast of Thailand. This dance tells about the joyfulness of young people after completing harvest. They will sit together to rub coconut shells, and dance in pairs of men and women.

Delegation of Kazakhstan featured traditional dance Kara Zhorga. The choreography shows the dancers’ flexibility and their ability to harmonize footsteps, hands, with music. Uzbekistan also performed their traditional dance taken from their four regions namely Bukhara, Horesm, Andijan and Fergana, with their own characteristics.

Slightly different from other countries, delegates from Taiwan showed martial arts dance inspired by Bruce Lee, the kung fu master from Taiwan. The dance combined martial art and kung fu power from the kung fu master.

The Italian delegation offered history as part of culture. Manfrina dance was performed by Italy Urbanitas group. It tells about Italian Renaissance court tradition in the 1700s. Since then, this popular dance has become Italy cultural heritage.

William and Maia, dance partners from Italy, had expressed their admiration of Indonesia cultures. William said, Indonesia is a beautiful country and he likes Indonesia music. Maia, in the other hand, admitted that she interested in religions and traditional beliefs in Indonesia, and the ritual. They both said that they are pleased and proud to participate in the WCF 2016. “With society and culture that we have, together we can undertake cultural exchange and live peacefully side by side in this world,” William said. (Penni Patmawati/WCF2016)