Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim confirmed that the study of traditional music will be incorporated in formal and informal education programs in Samosir District, North Sumatra Province, on Wednesday.
“One of the important recommendations of the Indonesian Traditional Music Congress held in September 2021 is to provide traditional music lessons in formal and informal education, so Indonesian children will also become cultural conservation agents,” he affirmed.
He visited Samosir District to attend the 2021 Indonesian Traditional Music Festival series held at three different tourism destinations of Lake Toba in North Sumatra Province, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara Province, and Tidore in North Maluku Province.
Furthermore, the minister affirmed that the inter-generational collaboration in the Indonesian Traditional Music Festival in Lake Toba is part of the efforts to advance culture.
“We have proved that collaboration has enabled us to move together in advancing our culture. Let us establish a joyful Indonesia with independence in culture,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Director General of Culture of the ministry Hilmar Farid remarked that the music festival focused on the issue of inter-generational cultural transfer.
“Thus, there will a regeneration of traditional music. We are delighted that several junior high and senior high school students have started to create artworks,” he remarked.
In addition, he expressed optimism that the music festival would help to drive the spirit of young people to learn traditional music.
The director general also expects the younger generation to assist in determining the aim of the nation’s cultural advancement.
Meanwhile, Batak cultural activist Ojax Manalu assessed that implementation of the music festival in Lake Toba can also boost the pride and optimism of residents in the area.
“It is the first time that four sub-ethnics (locally called ‘puak’) in the Batak community of Toba, Karo, Simalungun, and Pakpak collaborate in one festival,” he remarked.
Source: Antara News