Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is determined to always encourage socialization of government’s programs through folk performances. Besides informing people about the Government's important information, it is expected that people can get closer to their local culture.
“We try to deliver information that is educating, enlightening and enriching society. With local wisdom, it is expected to balance information from television and radio,†the Secretary of Public Information Board, Drs. Supomo, M.M., said on Friday evening (26/3) during the leather puppet show entitled “Wahyu Kaprawiran†, which was a cooperation between the Ministry and UGM's Graduate School. The performance by puppeteer Ki Warseno Slank was held in the School's yard.
The secretary said that such socialization involving the university is their first one. Moreover, the Ministry will later devise a student program in building villages. “In this Graduate School, there are many departments relating to our duties. This cooperation will be sustainable, not stopping at this first one,†he said.
Similar opinion was also delivered by Vice Rector of Alumni and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Toni Atyanto Dharoko, M.Phil, Ph.D., who said that the leather puppet performance is very appropriately conducted in Java. Outside Java, other folk performances should be used according to the local culture.
The Vice Rector also explained that leather puppet shows are usually performed during Faculty and University's anniversaries. Director of Graduate School, Dr. Hartono, said that folk arts and other cultural forms support the national culture preservation and protect from negative foreign cultures and strengthen the inherent moral message. “Presently, foreign culture infiltration is very intense through information technology. Many of our students can get information easily without themselves having strong moral foundation,†he ended.