Opera van Banjar closes Banjar Cultural Congress II

Banjarmasin, MelayuOnline.com - The three day Banjar Cultural Congress II was closed on April 7, 2010, in Gedung Bundar Taman Budaya, Banjarmasin. The congress closing cost 1.5 billion with the performance of Opera van Banjar by Banjarmasin artists. Besides the Governor of South Kalimantan and staff, the closing congress was attended by all participants, artists and the public.

“Overall, the Congress ran successfully and left an important momentum for Banjar culture,” said H. Rudy Arifin, the Governor of South Kalimantan.

In his speech, he stated that Banjar Cultural Congress would be held every three years.

“I hope we can meet again in the third Congress,” said H. Rudy Arifin.

The Governor of South Kalimantan, H. Rudy Arifin giving his speech during
the performance of Opera van Banjar

The Governor restated that the objective of Banjar Cultural Congress II was the continuation of the first Congress.

“In the Fisrt Congress, we managed to reveal the submerging log (Banjar culture –red). In the second congress we meant to improve and direct that log,” H. Rudy Arifin affirmed.

“The conclusion of the congress was not yet tabulated,” said one of the committee members.

In general, MelayuOnline.com noted that the congress was a momentuous event. However, the presentation and technical problem were not comprehensive, thus, in some occasions, the committee and participants did not coordinate well.

“This second congress is a big leap and is intended for Banjar culture. Hopefully the third congress will be more maximum,” explained Taufin Arbain, M.Si., the committee coordinator of assembly and program to MelayuOnline.com.

Either the committee or the participants hoped that the second congress came out with some law products on the preservation and development of Banjar culture such as those issued in 2009. It has been known that last year the Provincial Government of South Kalimantan issued 3 regional regulations namely Perda No. 6, 7, and 8 on the preservation and protection of cultural elements such as Banjar language, art and architecture.

Opera van Banjar

Banjar Cultural Congress II was symbolically opened and closed by the Governor of South Kalimantan and was filled with the performance of Opera van Banjar. This opera lasted from 8 to 11 p.m. Central Indonesia Time.

The opera was lustrous with the setting of Banjar village and aimed to entertain the audience. It became a reflection of Banjar culture nowadays.

“The opera dialogue was presented all out in Banjar language. The opera involved Banjar youth,” said show director Hj. Yeyen Yustan.

Language, Yeyen added, became the most dominating element enjoyed by the audience.

Opera van Banjar tells the love affair of Banjar young couple with traditional and Banjar urban. Utuh Agak is the character who had the chance to get the education in city while Siti Ropeah is a village girl who is amazed by Utuh Agak.

Banjar fashion and bridal show

The opera performance was accompanied by pentatonic music involving panting, Banjar traditional music, and modern music. The other specialities of this performance were the dancing, Banjar fashion and bridal show. (ATP/brt/24/04-10)

Translation by Apri Widiastuti (trns/38/04-10)

Photo source: Collection of MelayuOnline.com (Photographer: Aam Ito Tistomo)

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