Indonesian Day

Again, there’s an event organized by Indonesian students in Bremen. It’s called Indonesian Day. In this event, the Indonesians try to introduce the culture of Indonesia through performances and bazaar.

Traditional dances, songs, wayang puppet show, angklung music are performed; while pictures, traditional toys, and foods of Indonesia are part of the bazaar.

In my opinion, this event is very effective in introducing Indonesia to foreigners. I realize that living abroad means I have to represent my country in some ways. People in my class who come from all over the world want to know and learn about each other. In this sense, they want to know our custom, culture, foods, places; many things! And this could lead to indirect promotion; the description that we (the students) tell could make the foreigners feel interested to come to Indonesia. So it means, Indonesian students abroad are the spearhead for Indonesian tourism industry.

OK, in this point I really don’t believe about having a pretty girl as an icon for tourism. I really don’t believe that people can decide to go for traveling to foreign country just by looking to a pretty girl in an advertisement. NO!

Another example, in this event, the Indonesian students, who mostly don’t have any dance background, have learned a pretty difficult Saman dance just for the sake of representing the country. Saman dance is very difficult; it’s like Michael Jackson’s dance in the sense of fast and solid. Furthermore, this dance is from Aceh Province; and nobody from the dancers is Acehnese! I seriously think that Indonesian tourism industry should work together with the students.

Back to the event…

The performers have taken their task successfully. Foreigner audiences enjoy the show. However, although the place is full but we expect more people coming. So maybe next year we can make bigger event.

While me… I get a task in selling the traditional toys; one of which called Gasing. It’s a spinning bamboo. And as the foreigners don’t understand what it is and how to play it; I have to demonstrate it many times. The funny thing is, apparently not many Indonesian people can play it! Furthermore, gasing is considered as a toy for boy! So imagine, me wearing a batik dress but keep playing gasing. Whenever I do it, there’s always a comment from Indonesian people, “Wooow, you can play that!” or, “Look at her, wearing dress but playing a boy game!”

Uhm… first is about football things; and now this gasing thing. Something wrong with my childhood, I guess…