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13
May

Roman Peony's debut screening in Japan

Published in Feature

"Roman Peony" film was screened for the first time at Okinawa International Movie Festival (OIMF) at the end of April 2024. The event was held in Naha City, Okinawa Islands, Japan. The international festival was themed "Laugh & Peace", showcasing the best films from many countries, especially Asia. "Roman Peony" was the only special invite in OIMF 2024 from Indonesia. The film was special because it is showing a multicultural love triangle. It takes place in three cities in Japan's northernmost island Hokkaido namely Sapporo, Shobetsu, and Wakkanai.

"Roman Peony" director Alfrits said he will create more films, especially the ones promoting an exchange between Indonesia and Japan. Meanwhile, "Roman Peony" producer Vincent Mancahaya said he was proud of the screening of "Roman Peony" at OIMF, for the film gets positive response at Naha Cultural Art Center.

The film was produced by Connection Film in collaboration with Yoshimoto Kreatif Indonesia & Neo Metro Film. The casts are from Japan and Indonesia namely Jessica Veranda (former member of JKT48), Genki Sadamatsu, Hitomi, Diera Nathania, and Daisuke Hamada. Roman Peony is about two hurting people who planned to visit Japan in hope for miracle and enlightenment.

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13
May

Indonesian Embassy in Rome holds street photography exhibition in Rome and Tasikmalaya

Published in Feature

The Indonesian  Embassy in Rome supports the 2nd Street Photography Exhibition entitled “ A Journey between Italy and Indonesia at Orsini Castle” Fiano Romano city, Italy. According to a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Rome received in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/5),  the exhibition features the work of 14 photographers from Tasikmalaya, West Java,  Indonesia  and Rome,  Italy  which combines the culture of the city of Tasikmalaya and Rome through photography.  The photo exhibition was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Rome in collaboration with the Fiano Romano Mayor's Office and an Italian photographer, Stefano Romano.

The Indonesian Embassy in Rome conveyed,  Business Attorney ad Interim,  Lefianna H. Ferdinandus  welcomed the implementation of these activities as it would be used to promote Indonesia in Italy. He further said  the exhibition is a tangible manifestation of good cooperation between the people of Indonesia and Italy,  as well as a concrete result of diplomatic relations between the two countries which this year reached 75 years.

Mayor of Fiano Romano, David Santonastaso  expressed his appreciation and pride that the Italian and Indonesian photo exhibition could be held in the city of Fiano Romano. He also conveyed  photography will further strengthen relations between the two countries. The Indonesian Embassy in Rome stated 14 photographers from Indonesia and Italy produced 14 photographic works,  obtained from exploring the uniqueness of the cities of Rome and Tasikmalaya by taking a cultural, social  and tourism point of view.

Although Rome and Tasikmalaya have their own identity , character  and outlook on life,  there are cultural values and community habits that can be synergized through photography.  Collaboration between the Indonesian and Italian photography communities has started since 2021 and it was agreed to realize the concept of fusion of two cultures, namely Rome and Tasikmalaya through photography. The photo exhibition was attended by invited guests from the city government of Fiano Romano,  the Italian photographer community  and Friends of Indonesia in Italy.  The first photo exhibition was held on September 21, 2022 at the Tasikmalaya City Arts Building //

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13
May

Merti Desa Mbah Bregas Tradition

Published in Indonesian Wonder
On May 1 to 3, 2024, the people of Margoagung village in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, gathered to hold the Merti Desa Mbah Bregas tradition. During his lifetime, Mbah Bregas was known as one of the loyal followers of Sunan Kalijaga, who was tasked with spreading the message of Islam in the West Sleman region, especially Margoagung and its surroundings. He is also known for his strong, authoritative, and simple personality. Besides remembering Mbah Bregas, the tradition, which is held after the main harvest season, is also a form of gratitude for the abundant harvest and a prayer that future harvests will not be disturbed by any conditions.
 
Merti Desa Mbah Bregas tradition has been going on for generations since the Majapahit Kingdom era from the 12th to 15th century. The tradition also only takes place once a year, specifically Friday Kliwon in May. The Merti Desa Mbah Bregas events include a grand religious lecture, wayang dance, jathilan art performance, holy water collection, grave pilgrimage, grand kenduri (Javanese banquet), cultural carnival, and traditional ceremonial processions. The main event is the village clean-up and cultural carnival. The village cleaning procession was carried out in several places, such as a banyan tree known as Ringin Ngino as Mbah Bregas's place of meditation, Sendang Planangan which Mbah Bregas usually used in the past for daily life, Kramat as the meeting location for Mbah Bregas and Sunan Kalijaga, and Mbah Bregas grave.
 
The Merti Desa Mbah Bregas tradition begins with giving offerings to the banyan tree, Sendang Planangan, and Kramat, in the form of tumpeng or cone-shaped rice and traditional snacks. Taking the holy water from seven klenting (jugs) at Tirto Saptomulya Sendang Planangan, used to water the banyan tree in the ceremony, symbolizes revitalizing and preserving the surrounding nature and living culture. The ceremony continued with a pilgrimage to the grave of Mbah Bregas. Then it continues with performances of the cokekan, karawitan, and macapatan traditions.
 
At its peak, a carnival was held with the gunungan or mountain-like food structure, then a procession of ngalap berkah or seeking blessings was held by fighting over the mountains that had been carried and prayed for. The ceremony ended with reciting the Islamic holy book Al-Quran and closed with a night-long shadow puppet performance. The shadow puppet performance symbolizes honor for Sunan Kalijaga, by taking Islamic-based plays such as Jimat Kalimasada, Dewaruci, and Petruk Jadi Ratu.
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13
May

Indonesian Embassy in Canberra visits UNE Australia campus to strengthen cooperation

Published in Feature

The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra conducted an Ambassador Goes to Campus activity by visiting the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, last Monday (May 6).

According to a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, quoted by Antara, the Ambassador Goes to Campus activity aims to increase cooperation between campuses in Australia and Indonesia.

The Indonesian Embassy also mentioned that Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono visited universities in Australia to provide the latest information about Indonesia, including opportunities for Indonesia-Australia cooperation, especially in the fields of education and research.

He also said that in the field of education and research, three Australian universities have opened campuses in Indonesia, and one university is in the process of licensing to open a campus in Kalimantan. According to Ambassador Siswo, academically the standards are the same as the central campus in Australia, but by studying in Indonesia, Australian students will get to know Indonesia more closely, both from a socio-cultural and economic context.

On the same occasion, the Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Mukhamad Najib said that there are currently many opportunities for Australian students to study in Indonesia. He also said that Indonesia has a Dharmasiswa scholarship to study language and culture for a year. There are also masters and doctoral scholarships offered by many campuses in Indonesia.

Najib added that Australian students can also study in Indonesia for a maximum of 18 months or three semesters with the New Colombo Plan scholarship.

Meanwhile, Dean of the University of New England (UNE) Faculty of Letters, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Prof. Jane Edwards welcomed the Ambassador Goes to Campus event. He also said that UNE has a close relationship with Indonesia and UNE is one of the universities in the state of New South Wales that has an Indonesian study program. She hopes that UNE can further enhance cooperation with Indonesia. Jane Edwards believes that many universities in Indonesia have high quality education and research.

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