SEAToday.com, Den Haag-The Ramayana Theatrical Music Performance from Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta was held at the Royal Theater or Het Nationale Theater (HNT) in Den Haag, the Netherlands, Wednesday (10/30) evening. The performance mesmerized the audience, including Dutch citizens.

The Ramayana Theatrical Music is a cultural promotion activity in the Netherlands initiated by Pura Pakualaman in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Den Haag and supported by the Indonesian Culture Ministry.

The special cultural mission of Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta was led by Crown Prince Paku Alam X, BPH Kusumo Bimantoro, accompanied by Senior Official GPH Wijoyo Harimurti. The mission aims to introduce Yogyakarta’s cultural heritage to the world in hopes of bringing more cultural enthusiasts and tourists to Yogyakarta, dubbed the Gudeg City.

The special cultural mission program began with an exhibition of the Batik collection from the grand wedding ceremony (Dhaup Ageng) of Paku Alam’s two sons. The outdoor and bright space in the foyer beside the theater was the perfect place to display the special Batik collection.

Visitors were then invited to join a batik-making (nyanting) workshop at Paul Streenberger’s Porch given by the Crown Prince. In the afternoon, the theater was opened to children who had signed up for a dance workshop.

Children and school students accompanied by parents and teachers packed the Paradijs Theater located on the top floor of HNT. They eagerly followed the instructor who demonstrated the movements of two dynamic dances from the Ramayana - the Kijang dance and the Hanoman dance.

The most awaited main event is the Ramayana Theatrical Music performed at the National Theater during the special celebration of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights for Indian Hindus. The audience is not only Dutch art enthusiasts, but also diaspora from Indonesia, India, and Suriname.

The performance of Asthabrata’s special Batik collection by 9 models opened the event. Indonesian Ambassador for Netherlands Mayerfas said in the opening ceremony that Pura Pakualaman’s cultural mission comes at a time when relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands are strong and thriving.

“This will help strengthen bridges of mutual understanding and friendship between Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Europe in general,” he said, quoted from the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website.

This series of cultural promotion activities garnered widespread enthusiasm from the Dutch public. In addition to strengthening Indonesia's friendships with friendly countries, this momentum also provides a platform to promote Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage, leaving a significant cultural impression in the Netherlands and Europe in general.

Writer: Vicky Octarina Arsandi