Indonesia's Angklung Crew Stuns in Abu Dhabi, Aims to Spread Local Cultures to Global Audience

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Bandung-based angklung music crew Tim Muhibah Angklung (Muhibah Angklung Team) successfully performed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on July 21-23, 2024, after their Spain stop. At the opening of Angklung Orchestra and Dance at the Cultural Foundation Theatre, the crew performed UAE’s national song, 'Ishy Bilady' and Indonesia’s national song Indonesia Raya.

“We are achieving our dream to spread the echoes of angklung. Moreover, Middle Easterners, especially in Abu Dhabi, lacked exposure to Indonesian culture,”  said the head of Tim Muhibah Angklung Maulana M. Syuhada in a written statement, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

Traditional Dance and Clothing

Not only playing angklung, the Indonesian musical instrument made of bamboo, the 37-person crew also played traditional songs and performed traditional dances while donning traditional costumes from various Indonesian ethnicities. The event was held as a result of collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

Ambassador Husin Bagis hopes the crew can play in more places and with a bigger audience. "The locals are a bit difficult to reach with cultural things like this, but there were many foreigners (in the audience)," he said.

The angklung crew performed in two sessions at the Cultural Foundation, the first cultural center in Abu Dhabi. The first session comprised traditional dances from across Indonesia, while the second was more modern, including the angklung rendition of Frank Sinatra’s New York New York.

International Audience

Apart from local and foreign residents, the angklung performance also attracted the Indonesian diaspora in Abu Dhabi. Tim Muhibah Angklung also performed at Mushrif Mall in the UAE capital. The show lasted for two days with varied performances for each day. 

On the first day, Tim Muhibah Angklung opened the show with a flashmob performing the song 'Magic In The Air' from Magic System followed by international songs. Meanwhile, the second day was reserved for a series of Indonesian traditional songs and dances.

The Indonesian Embassy fully facilitated the Angklung show. The Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs Consul at the Embassy Muhammad Sadri said the series of performances was the embassy’s effort to promote Indonesian culture to an international audience, especially Abu Dhabi and surrounding regions.

At least 1,000 people were in attendance. The angklung crew will continue their tour in several iconic places such as the Cultural Palace Riyadh, Hayy Jameel, and the old city of Al-Balad Jeddah.

ANWAR SISWADI

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