PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY/TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY AGENCY
ID HOTELIER - Yogyakarta, February 3rd 2023 - The 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum, which begins Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN during 2023, is officially opened on Friday night (3/2/2013) at the Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta Special Region.
ATF is the largest annual tourism event in the ASEAN region. The presence of ATF becomes a cooperation forum between ASEAN member countries to promote the ASEAN region as one of the tourism destinations.
Attending the 2023 ATF opening ceremony were ASEAN member countries and partner countries, such as ASEAN Plus Three, India, Russia, and several international organizations. There was also the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH. Ma’ruf Amin.
Welcoming the delegates when arriving at the Prambanan Temple were 1,000 Dolalak dancers. The Dolalak dance from Purworejo, Central Java, is an acculturation form of Javanese and Dutch culture. The movements in this dance adopt the Javanese dance moves and martial art (Pencak Silat), accompanied by a number of musical instruments, such as jidhur, drums, and tambourines.
The delegates also enjoyed the Dewa Ruci dance depicting one’s strength and persistence in finding and understanding one’s identity. With the majestic background of Prambanan Temple, the ATF opening ceremony ended with the Ramayana ballet, which tells the love story between Rama and Shinta. Their journey was full of obstacles. Rama must save Shinta when a demon king named Ravana kidnaps her.
Long story short, Rama managed to save Shinta with the help of Hanuman, the King of Monkey. However, a doubt arose in Rama about Shinta’s chastity when Ravana abducted her. Then Rama asked for proof of Shinta’s chastity by putting her on fire. She did not disappear from the fire, but the Goddess of Fire saved her. It proved the truth and her purity.
These cultural art performances have amazed the delegates. Many of them recorded these performances using their mobile phone. The Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Deputy Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, expected that the cultural art performances at the opening ceremony of the 2023 ATF left a good impression on the delegates about the beauty and cultural art diversity in Indonesia, especially the Java Island.
“At the same time, it can be an effective means of tourism and creative economy promotion for the delegates. They can share how beautiful and attractive Indonesia’s nature and culture are,” Angela said.
I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani
Head of Communication Bureau
Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency