Indonesia Night 2008 Presents Indonesian Cultural Diversity

Yogyakarta, MelayuOnline.com, Wisma Bahasa, an institution concerning on giving Indonesian language and cultural courses to foreigners, organized Malam Indonesia (Indonesia Night) 2008 on Saturday (23/08/08), locating in Demangan Village, Yogyakarta. This annual event was a graduation night specifically designed by Wisma Bahasa for the foreigners learning Indonesian language and culture in Wisma Bahasa.

Several stands representing Indonesian tribes took part in this event such as Bugis stand, Borneo Malay (West Kalimantan) stand, Asmat (Papua) stand, and Malay stand represented by the Center for Research and Development of Malay Culture (BKPBM). Five BKPBM crews were designated to keep BKPBM stand, and give the information about BKPBM and its three cyber portals, MelayuOnline.com, MalayTourism.com, and RajaAliHaji.com.

Various Indonesian foods and beverages were dished up to all attendants at the venue. Indonesian foods such as bakso, siomay, and bajigur seemed to be favourite foods for the foreigners studying Indonesian language and cultures coming at the time. In addition, a special table for vegetarians was available as well. All people attending the event looked enjoy the truly Indonesian atmosphere during Indonesia Night 2008.

The students of Wisma Bahasa looked happily wore Indonesian traditional clothes such as traditional costumes typically Sumbanese, Javanese, Balinese, and even Asmat. While wearing Indonesian traditional clothes, they enthusiastically performed Indonesian traditional dances along with the real dancers.

Entirely, the event went on in informal and congenial atmosphere. Frequently the master of ceremonies threw several questions luring the people to laugh loudly. All people guffawed loudly when a German suddenly shouted “becak!,” to answer the MC’s question about the name of traditional transportation drawn by horse.

The peak was a fashion show demanding the foreigners to show traditional costumes they were wearing out. Walking on the red carpet while holding a partner, they performed Indonesian traditional costumes based on their expressions.

At the end, Agus Soehardjono - the Director of Wisma Bahasa – gave five awards for those who helped the event. MelayuOnline.com was awarded for the most innovative and creative stand in the celebration of Indonesia Night this year. Came as the representative for accepting the award was Hadi Kurniawan, the Daily Executive of BKPBM.

Indonesia Night 2008 ended with a photograph taking session along with the entire audiences presenting the venue. Sajojo traditional folksong sung harmoniously by all people attending the event made the atmosphere merrier.

(Khidir Marsanto/brt/12/08-08)

(NI/ter/43/08-08)

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