VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

There are various traditional dances in West Kalimantan. Those dances have different functions.  Take for example, Monong dance is known as one of the rituals which is used to ask for recovery for a resident who is sick. In the past, Monong dance was also known with the name Manang dance which was specially conducted by Shaman or elder of Dayak tribe by dancing while reading certain magic. To implement it, the family of resident who is sick must attend the process of reading magic to drive away the disease and follow it. In its process, the dance was accompanied by traditional instruments and the magic was read for the Creator in order the sick person could recover. Movement in Monong dance is more emphasized when the shaman is conducting recovery ritual. The movement is the one when the shaman or elder performs magic-reading and dancing. In the performance, the dancer gets dressed with Dayak typical cloth. The dancer is also completed with various tools which are used for ritual. The dance is also accompanied by various kinds of Dayak traditional instruments. No wonder, if the ritual process makes rhythm of music, dancer’s movement until its situation become mystic. Although in the past, Monong dance was held to recover a villager who was sick. Now, this dance is used for another purpose, such as people’s entertainment. In its development, the dance is also colored with many creations and movements. Those creations are conducted to preserve traditional art of  Dayak tribe in West Kalimantan. Besides, it is also conducted in order the performance is more interesting but the value in the dance is kept being maintained. Now, the dance is often performed in traditional events such as Bemanang or Balian, welcoming the guest and also cultural festival.

Unima (Union Internationale de la Marionnette) Indonesia commemorated the 'World Puppets Day' which was held in Central Java Pavilion, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, Wednesday (21/3/2018). The event was held in cooperation between Unima Indonesia and Pavilion of Central Java and TMII Central Java Community. It was enlived byperformances of "Potehi Puppets" of Rumah Cinta Wayang, Wooden Dolls (from Samosir "Sigale-gale") and Shadow Puppets "Kikis Tunggarana" by Ki Sutrisno. The event was also attended by Dadi Pudumjee (President of UNIMA International), Karren Smith (from Australia / UNIMA International Secretary General), and Runjena Panday (from India).President of Unima Indonesia, TA. Samodra Sriwidjaja said the commemoration is a follow-up of UNESCO's recognition of Indonesian puppets as 'A Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'. He said this event was held ahead the International Congress and the World Puppets Festival in Gianyar Bali in April 2020 which will be attended by 90 member states of Unima International.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Hamburg held a business matching in the field of furniture between five Indonesian furniture businessmen and their partners in Hamburg, Germany, on Tuesday (20/3). The event was opened by the Consul General of Hamburg and attended by 5 companies engaged in furniture in the working area of ​​the Consulate General of Hamburg and officials of the German Import Promotion Desk (IPD).In the one on one meeting German furniture entrepreneurs in the working area of ​​the Consulate General of Hamburg expressed interest in the products offered by Indonesian businessmen. This would be followed up with further communication via e-mail and also scheduled visit to furniture factories in Indonesia.On 21 March 2018 Indonesian furniture entrepreneurs visited the warehouse and showroom belonging to one of the German businessmen in Hannover, to explore the possibility of cooperation using the company's facilities as a hub and display of Indonesian furniture products.

Gamelan Students at Vancouver's School for Contemporary Arts at Vancouver's Simon Fraser University (SFU) gained a unique and rare experience when they had the opportunity to collaborate with Smiet Abdul Hamied, a maestro dancer from Central Sulawesi, who was in Vancouver in a coaching clinic with West Canadian artists, Wednesday (21/3).The collaboration featured two dances namely Salonde Dance involving 7 musicians and 7 dancers and Topeaju Dance featuring 13 musicians and 9 dancers. Salonde dance is a union of music and the motion performed on Balia ritual and has a historical background as a medium for medicinal purposes. In this dance Smiet Abdul Hamied useda Laloveflute accompanied by drum beat from Central Sulawesi called Gimba and gong from Javanese gamelan. According to Smiet, the movement on the Dance of Salonde is an expression of gratitude to the creator and also at the same time, joy and happiness because there are relatives who are involved in the ritual process.The second collaboration featured Topeaju Dance, as a dynamic form of motion and music.

Footwear export from Bali in various designs during January 2018 underwent an increase by 85.75 percent compared to December 2017. Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) of Bali province, Adi Nugroho in Denpasar on Saturday said that the foreign exchange earnings compared to the same month of the previous year also increased by 109.27 percent, since January 2017 ,

Adi Nugroho added that the footwear that comes from the skillful hands of Balinese craftsmen penetrates overseas markets. They include shoes and sandals for all ages, both men and women,and are most absorbed by the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Singapore, the USA, China, Japan, Germany and Spain.

A total of 163 statues of national heroes will be built across the border regions of Indonesia. The construction of a monument of national heroes in the area becomes a symbol of the seriousness of the government to build the border area as the front guard of Indonesia. As one of the border areas, Natuna district also gets the opportunity to build statue of Indonesian national heroes, such as the statue of the Indonesian independence proclamator, Soekarno. Head of Border Management Agency (BPP) of Natuna Regency,Marka, in Ranai Friday 23/3/2018) said the monument will be placed on Kencana Ranai beach. Marka said, the aim of placing the monument of Sukarno in Kencana beach, in addition to remember the area is in the middle of the Capital District Natuna, is also expected to be one of the attractions for tourists.

The administrators of New Bintan Airport are asked to proactively cooperate with national and international airlines that have potential to operate at New Bintan Airport. Therefore the existence of runway and New Bintan Airport which is currently under construction needs to be socialized to the international world. Director General of Air Transportation, Agus Santoso, while visiting Bintan (22/3/2018) said, besides the publication, what is important is, the coordination in support of flight safety is also well socialized. The new airport will have a runway length of 3,500 meters so that it can serve the operational of wide bodied aircraft directly from foreign countries. The existence of this airport is very good to support tourism in Bintan area, especially the western region which has been developed into an international tourism area.

Bali is one of the famous tourism places in the world. Besides its beautiful natural landscape, Bali has been known for its cultural heritage, including dances. Ubud as one of the foremost cities in Bali is known as Yoga center due to its calm, tranquil atmosphere, beautiful and cool naturel. From April 2 until 8, 20187, Ubud wil host Bali Spirit Festival 2018, the eleventh one of its kind, centered at Bhanuswari Resort and Spa. This event will be enlivened and attended by world’s renowned musicians, yogis and dancers from all over the world. Yoga, dance and music to be staged at Bali Spirit Festival 2018 are expected to attract 7 thousand people across the world every year. The festival will stage workshop, interactive seminar, yoga class, concert, and live music amongst rice fields. The festival will also stage Balinese traditional performance, Bhakti music and Kirta, Satsang , attended by some guest stars like Jeffrey Armstrong and Sri Prem Baba. Ubud is a place with inspirative tropical beauty. There will be workshops at Bali Spirit Festival 2018 about African Dance, Ecstatic Dance, Sound Healing, Health and Nutrition, the Business of Yoga, Acro Yoga, Tantra, various Breathwork, meditation, and so on. There will be several levels of workshops starting from beginner, experienced-yoga, and general public. A night concert themed "One World One Stage" will take place at Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) open stage in the city center of Ubud. A series of this unique concert will combine traditional and contemporer Balinese and Indonesian music with all music genre from accross the world. On the last 2017, the concert attended by foremost musicians among others Xavier Rudd, Gipsy Brooklyn, Colleena Shakti, Elijah Ray, Haji Basim, The Hanumen, and many more. Bali Spirit Festival brings the essential of Balinese Hindu teachings, which is harmonious life with spiritual, social, and natural environment, It has become the main attraction for society from various levels. Over the past 10 years, Bali Spirit Festival has been working with partner organizations in Bali, as well as international yoga teachers and musicians, to collect over US $ 65,000 fund for annual Karma Festival events. The funds are used for children's programs, education and multicultural performances, health clinics, HIV & AIDS awareness, and environmental protection. Bali Spirit Festival is a celebration of cultural well, environmental sanctity, and harmony among people from various tribes of the world.