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RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia with Diplomatic Corner.

The first information is from Cairo.

Indonesian students, who are studying at  Al- Azhar University of Cairo, are enthusiastic to participate in the commemoration of the 110th National Awakening Day held on Sunday evening (20/5/2018) of local time at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Besides the students, diplomats and staffs are participated in the ceremony led by Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Helmy Fauzi. The President of Indonesian Student Association of Egypt,  Pangeran Arsyad said that the Indonesian students in Egypt make the National Awakening Day as momentum to improve their knowledge abroad. Pangeran also called for the students to be able to become ambassador of the nation so that positive image of the nation can be seen by Egyptian people or citizens of other countries, who are also studying in Egypt. He viewed that that for 110 years after the establishment of Budi Utomo, the Indonesian students in Egypt can show their abilities to a number of students from various countries. 

Wayang kulit or in English means Puppet shadow for the first time performance amazed Russian people. The puppet shadow accompanied by live  Gamelan was performed by duet famous Indonesian puppeteers, Ki Anom Suroto and Ki Bayu Aji, plus little puppeteers, Pramariza Fadlansyah and Rafi Ramadhan, who amazed Russian people at two theaters and school in Russia.  Even,  a girl from Moscow State University, Eliza approached Ki Bayu after the performance and expressed her wish to be puppeteer. This was stated by First Secretary of Information Function of Social Culture at Indonesian Embassy of Moscow, Enjay Diana to Antara London on Wednesday. Meanwhile, another Russian citizen, an art teacher would come to the Indonesian embassy of Moscow to learn Gamelan and want to buy a set of Gamelan from Indonesia. As appreciation, Ki Bayu gave puppet and gunungan to the two Russian citizens. A series of cultural diplomacy was held by the Indonesian embassy of Moscow at three cities of Russia,  namely Saint Petersburg which was held at Cultural Center Building of 'Troitsky' on May 15, Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, Moscow on May 19 and Gynamsium school No. 18, Korolyov district on May 20. Indonesian Ambassador to Russian Federation concurrently Republic of Belarus, M. Wahid Supriyadi said that the Indonesian Cultural event was presented to Russian people to know more Indonesian culture and to strengthen relations of the two countries.

We end Diplomatic Corner with the information from Lebanon.

Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon re-invited Indonesian citizens and students in  Lebanon to attend ‘Iftar’ breaking the fast together at the Indonesian Embassy. In a press release received by RRI on Tuesday (22/5/2018), the event was held on Friday (18/5). The invitees were served by ta’jil ala Indonesia and continued with dinner with the Indonesians. Familiarity and togetherness were enjoyed clearly by the Indonesian citizens, students and the Indonesian embassy’s family. In additional to breaking the fast and tarawih prayer, the committee of the event also holds Tarawih safari (tarling) every week at the mosques in Beirut. All of the events are held to strengthen brotherhoods between the family of Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian citizens in Lebanon and to spread   Islam of Indonesia in Lebanon.

Today's Book and Film Review will review an Indonesian film entitled "Moonrise Over Egypt" directed by Pandu Adiputra. Moonrise Over Egypt is an historic-suspense movie about Indonesian history and was released in 2018. An important event in Indonesian history about struggle to gain de jure recognition is rarely exposed. Behind this event, there was a thrilling drama full of espionage and political intrigues.

This film reveals that event explicitly was based on a deep historic research. The film that was made by experienced hands became a bright spot for Indonesians to see the other side of Indonesian independence history. Indonesian people will also be able to know more about the figures whose names are now used for street names in several cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta. Despite of few research results being found, Pandu keeps moving forward with his works. Pandu explain about his film.

“…Moonrise over Egypt is clearly about sovereignty, love, and betrayal. The big story is about four delegates fighting for recognition of sovereignty. What we are telling in this film is apparently a part of August 17 1945.” He said. 

With idealism and honed skills, this film was made to add more lists of good-quality Indonesian films. It is also a new knowledge for Indonesian people, because the struggle of the then Indonesian politicians did not stop after Indonesia proclaimed its independence. The name of Agus Salim is often heard, but not many Indonesians know well who he is. Playing Agus Salim, Pritt Timothy certainly must know who Agus Salim is.

“…Agus Salim is a national hero who persistently defended the independence of Indonesia, who loved it without self-interest but only for the unity of Indonesia. He is also very clever, diplomatic, and he masters 12 languages, but he lived without looking for fame. Yet, Agus Salim dared to face anyone for the sake of truth and the country.” He said.

Since 2012, many Indonesian directors have made films about Indonesian heroes. Apparently, Indonesians love historic-suspense films. Therefore, many Indonesian moviemakers created historic films about Indonesian heroes. Although it sounds like making use of such condition, Indonesian moviemakers did a good job in introducing historic figures who rarely appear in Indonesian history books. Such a positive thing must be supported by Indonesian people and government.

Historic research had been conducted long time before the script was made. Even, Husni Husein, an Indonesian historian also helped the research for this movie. Nevertheless, the research result was still adjusted to fiction in various stories, so that the film will still be entertaining. One of Moonrise Over Egypt producers, Adie Marzuki explained the importance of historic films.

“…I was scared, but it cannot stop us, more overly we believe that we are conveying important values. Therefore, we ask for help from the stakeholders and Indonesian people who believe that values in historic films are important.” He said.

Ade Marzuki added, he collected stories data from official resources, including from Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt as well as from Historia magazine editorial. Pandu Adiputra as the director admitted that he implemented and executed the scripts into film carefully. It took 15 days of shooting in Jakarta and 10 other days in Egypt. He hoped to be able to present the situation of Jakarta and Cairo in 1940s to the audience. This 113-minute film is also able to provide historic knowledge for Indonesian people.

 We will present various Indonesian religious songs by Chrisye and Haddad Alwi. The song “Ketika Kaki dan Tangan Berkata” was composed by an Indonesian writer Taufiq Ismail reminded all of us that in the hereafter, human must be responsible for all charity deeds. The song "Ketika Kaki Dan Tangan Berkata" also ends with an appeal to GOD to stay permanently on the right way of life. The next song entitled "Damai Bersamamu" by Chrisye. The song "Damai Bersamamu" was released in 1996. The song "Damai Bersamamu" tells about expression of gratitude to GOD Almighty. 

T

he next religious singer we will present to you is Haddad Alwi. He was born in Surakarta, on March 13, 1966. Hadad Alwi has the best-selling religious album in the history of Indonesian music. He started his musical career from the concern about the lack of a religious theme song. So, no wonder if Haddad Alwi has released a variety of religious songs for children in a duet with some little artists.

Haddad Alwi's career began in 1997 with two shalawat albums "Nur Muhammad" and "Ziarah Rasul". Then from 1999 to 2004, Haddad Alwi collaborated with Sulis to produce an album entitled "Cinta Rasul" volume 1 to 6. "Cinta Rasul" album also called as the best-selling religious album in Indonesia.

Welcome to the segment of My Indonesia.

Indigenous Forest as a valuable area is important for indigenous peoples, can not only serve as a source of community’s economy, like the Social Forestry scheme, but also serves as a place or habitat for wildlife conservation. Realizing it, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry-KLHK through Bali's Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) along with Friend of National Park Foundation, conducted animal release in Pura Besikalung and Pura Petali Indigenous Forests, Penebel Sub-district, Tabanan Regency, Bali Province on Saturday (19/5).

Dadang Wardhana, Head of Conservation Center of Natural Resources BKSDA Bali, said that the wild animals are 7 porcupines species (Histrix brachyura), 1 Pangolin (Manis Javanica), 1 pariah eagle (Milvus migrant), 1 sanca batik (Phyton reticulatus ) and several species of snakes. He said that the animals were the result of confiscation and submission of the community, who have been rehabilitated at Bali Wildlife Rescue Center (PPS) and Bali Reptile Rescue.

Dadang Wardhana moreover added, the release of animals is one of conservation efforts to prevent extinction. He also said in addition to habitat adjustment, the people’s commitment to keep the animal preservation, become consideration of the chosen Pura Besikalung and Pura Petali as the release location of the wild animals.

Animal Rescue Center (PPS) of Bali and Bali Reptile Rescue are the agencies under the management of Pencinta Taman Nasional Foundation. Also present to support the release activity were representative of the Military Rayon Commander, Chief of District Police and Head of Penebel subdistrict, academicians of Udayana University's Veterinary Faculty, and Babahan Village community, Penebel sub-district.