PUTU WIJAYA, ATUT, HILMAN “LUPUS”, AND TIHAMI

By Langlang Randhawa/Tranlated by Wawan Husin

God the Mighty One, has created everything without any in vain at all. It means, when we are smart enough to get the blessing in disguise or even: wisdom in what has happened then there is no event or experience which has no meaning or learning within it. Learning is not “just” from what we get from school. Learning is more than that, learning from the past generations is also a component of the God’s parable. In a smaller coverage, Indonesia has lots of stories, folklore, folktales that can become an advice in one way or another. Especially for children who tendsto love stories, folktales instead of lecturing.
FOLKTALES
One by one the students of Elementary and Junior High Schools entered the Rumah Dunia’s gate. On Monday, August 13, 2007 .

They took seats in front of the main stage of RD which was already under a bog canopy. Some of the students brought with them some equipments such as: a miniature of ship, a stole or shawl, a digger, bambooed basket, a crocodile toy etc. And even a tape recorder. Those stuff would be made as a property for each of them in reciting the folktales. For certain, all those Banten provincial students were going to participate in “Folktales Reading Competition”.

The competition was initiated by Department of National and was held in Rumah Dunia. The folk stories to be recited were: Malin Kundang, Kelinci Yang Cerdik (the Smart Rabbit), si Bego (the Weird), Bayi Yang Dibuang (The Discarded Baby), Jaka Tarub and Nawang Wulan, etc.

The competition was divided into two groups. The first was Elementary school group whose board of juries are: Putu Wijaya, Toto ST Radik, and an official from Diknas. While the other one was Junior High School whose juries are: Gola Gong, Firman Venayaksa, and an official of DinDik Banten.

The competition was held in order to socialize folktales among the students in Banten and to select the best readers to participate in the Competition of Folktales Reading Competition as well. An official of Diknas once stated,”We, from Diknas, are really grateful for the management of who have helped us to let their place to held the competition. Although this place is quite unpretentious but at least the homy place have made the children more relaxed, comfortable instead of so tensed and formal,”.

RED WHITE BIER
Wednesday (15/8) the tent is still erected. But the children have one. Decorating stage was still on: Awi prepared for a bier for stage accessory. Deden made himself busy checking the sound system, Roy cleaned here and cleansed there. Aji Setiakarya prepard for RD Award stuff, Shadik, as a secretary went to and fro, photocopying this thing and that.

Awhile Indra Kesuma, as the chief of the committee absorbed himself in exhibiting works. He put the paintings in the gallery. Gola Gong and Firman Venayaksa completing the concept of the event. I myself cut and pasted for writing the theme at the background of the stage. With available paper we have got. It was a busy hustle bustle. So hectic and noisy!
At last, the preparation for opening ceremony is done.

RED WHITE BIER.
This is an annual event at RD, as a reflection of the proclamation day of the country. This year RD, in cooperation with with Forum Kesenian Banten (FKB), and Komunitas Perupa Banten (KPB) execute exhibition, demo and painting workshop.

In addition to those activities, a number of discussion on arts and cultures are to be held. One of them is on Literacy Culture. The artists and cultural observers have also programmed to demand an appropriate Banten Library Building and Cultural Center (taman budaya) to the Banten Government.

The opening ceremony of Red White Bier was programmed to be started at 14.00 WIB. A number of invitees from Dinas and other institutions arrived. And the community around RD were eager to welcome the Banten Governor. The stage performers were ready to participate in the ceremony. The opening would be declared by the governor: Hj. Ratu Atut Chosiyah, SE.

Like children who have lost their mother, the crowded of members of community around Ciloang village welcome her. Shaked her hands. Again and again. Here and there and here. When the crowd’s curiosity had been fulfilled, they then took seats around the RD plaza. Hj. Atut entered the gate and took her seat, waiting for her part to declare the event opened. “I do expect, in my gubernatorial time the library and cultural building would be erected as soon as possible” she stated in her speech. It is not only opening she had declared, the only female governor in Indonesia , also donated 500 books to RD and Rp. 1.000.000,- as a development donation. In addition to that, she gave the Rumah Dunia Award to Ahmad Lugas Kusnadi, the Chief of Kumpulan Pengamen Jalanan (KPJ) Rangkas Bitung, for his dedication to enhance the prestige of street children in their young age. Bank Muamalat also awarded a bank account voucher of Rp. 1.000.000,- to Ugas , a nickname of the Chief. As a sign of solidarity from RD, RD management gave the one million it had got to Ugas and KPJ activists – whose home base had been attacked by the oknum aparat. May the award and cash be meaningful. Always eager and curious friend!

AGENDA: Lupus Versus Tihami
The youth, teenagers, some of you have been familiar with Hilman “Lupus” Hariwijaya, a champion of gag of Indonesia . Awhile in Banten, the name of Prof. DR. H.M.A Tihami as a Rector of IAIN Banten has also been closed to our ears. On Saturday (18/8) they both came RD. They, of course, will not debate with each other on the stage. They are going to share their knowledge and experience on their own expertise.

In their own schedule. Hilman Cs; Boim Lebon and Gusur, at 10.00 s/d 12.00 WIB will be on stage discussing the theme “LUPUS RETURN” with Tabloid Gaul and Gramedia. There will be a dialogue with the artists of “The Wall” produced by Lupus Entertainment and a Workhshop in “Comedy Writing Workshop”. Not to mention Lupus Return, Memoribilia Lupus, and book Doorprizes will be a menu of that day. All are gratis!

At 14.00 s/d 16.00 WIB Prof. Tihami in a duet with a poet Jamal D. Rahman of Horison, the literature magazine will be involved in Cultural Discussion under the theme “Kita dan Perpustakaan: Belajar dari Syekh Nawawi” (We and the Library: Learning from Syekh Nawawi). The essence is the reading and writing spirit in Banten since the time of Syekh Nawawi.

This is the spirit that will be made infectitious by Tihami dan Jamal. For technical affair, Hilman Cs. will guide until his mouth is panting. It is not the end of the day, at 19.30 s/d 22.00 WIB there will be tawuran seni (Arts Fighting) between IAIN vs Sultan Tirtayasa University - Banten. We are waiting for you all, OK! (Langlang Randhawa, final semester student of IAIN Banten, secretary for Rumah Dunia)