Makarim Wibisono
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Makarim Wibisono visited the ASEAN Puppetry Association (APA) Secretariat in Gedung Pewayangan Kautaman, Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), recently.
Makarim Wibisono was welcomed by Solichin, the APA Secretary General accompanied by Suparmin Sunjoyo, Samodra Sriwidjaja, Hari Suwasono, Suleiman and Imira Dewi, the ASEAN Foundation said in a press statement here on Tuesday.
Solichin expressed his appreciation to the ASEAN Foundation for its support to the process of the APA establishment as well as its annual activities.
He explained about the history of APA inception as well as the planning of the 4th Meeting of ASEAN Puppetry Association which will be held in Kuala Lumpur in November 2011.
Suparmin Sunjoyo pointed out detail activities of APA as well as its link with SENAWANGI, National Secretariat of Indonesian Puppetry.
The art and culture of puppetry exists in various forms in all of the ASEAN member countries, and forms part of the cultural heritage of ASEAN, he said.
Samodra Sriwidjaja as the President Union Internationale de La Marrionette D`Indonesie (UNIMA) elaborated the background of UNIMA in Indonesia.
UNIMA has its program cooperation in preserving and developing puppetry in Indonesia and cooperates with its sister organizations all over the world. It was emphasized that the art of puppetry should become a vehicle in order to uplift the quality and standard of humanity.
Makarim underlined the importance of efforts to increase the appreciation of society with regards to the arts of puppetry especially among the younger generation.
APA activities to organize periodic festivals of puppetry in ASEAN member countries is in line with the ASEAN community building process, and are considered by ASEAN Foundation as a building block toward the establishment of ASEAN community in 2015.
Dr. Makarim Wibisono pointed out that ASEAN Foundation supports the efforts of APA leadership to apply principles of good management.
(Tz.F001/HAJM/H-YH)
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