I have read the book : 40 days in Europe, and soo inspired with the stories. For you who clueless with this book, well let me tell you, this book is about 40 days struggle of 35 indonesian students making an angklung performance in the land of Europe. Don’t tell me you don’t know angklung! A traditional music instrument from west java made from bamboo which works by shaking it. Lately, Malaysian also claim that angklung is one of their heritage (what the???!!)
Anyway the response from European is soooo unbelievable. It is most of the time they are getting a standing applause as an appreciation towards their stunning performance.
Reading this, I am so ashamed with myself. Ashamed that I don’t really know what my culture is. I am not that into traditional music, I don’t like dangdut (wait, is that our culture?) dancing or some particular traditional ritual. I even plan to wear Armani suit in my wedding! I mean, my sense of belonging towards my own culture is so SHAMEFUL. Uhmm, I ever thought that it is the fault of my parents or grand grand parents that do not introduce me to such a magnificent culture. So that now, I prefer Jazz rather than traditional music. Blame them not me! Ahahaha. . .
European or other foreigner is giving a lot more appreciation than we ourselves as the owner of the culture!
I don’t wanna become a person who does not know his own culture.
SO now, it is very important to cultivating the traditional culture awareness towards the young generation. Maybe it is too late for me to switch my taste from jazz to keroncong, so let in the future I put my child into ‘sanggar musik tradisional’.
Actually, deep inside my heart I am little bit upset with the things going right now. Like those Indonesian who become a Japanese-freak Japanese-fan harajuku slabedi slabeda whatever you call it. I mean they perform Japanese culture as if it is their culture. Its oke its oke, really I have no problem with that. But please please I beg you for the love of waljinah, recognize Indonesian culture first.
P.S. now I’m enjoying Indonesian traditional performance in you tube 
hahaha… for the love of waljinah! yeah –rock on!! oops, I meant; keroncong on!!
I listen to death cab for cutie just as much as I listen to Didi Kempot, so you can’t hate me? xD
ning setasiun balapan.. kuto solo sing dadi kenangan.. koe karo aaaakuuuu… xD
Anggi, go search for Mieke Asmara “becek” in youtube! Satisfaction guaranteed!!
and thanks for correcting the anna hinch-thingy.. see?? I’m far from what people say as “GEWOL” xD
PS. I’m with you on the whole masukin anak ke sanggar musik tradisional idea. hear hear!!
Isn’t that your book novel?fiction..?..atau emang kisah nyata..I’ve ever seen at glance in book store.
Yoi, I’ll send my son into Sanggar Ananda dan berharap gedenya bisa sukses kayak Oki Lukman. Yaahh, maap ya, I just feel harajuku is hateful, for me.
I like Indonesian foods more than other Asian/Western foods. Does it mean I really love my country?
I do love my country, the places, history and culture. I just don’t like most of the people, typical lousy close minded Indonesians if you know what I mean.
i agree with sheilla…
i hate people who has no attitude…
not in queue…
please…..
this is an interesting topic
Is tht japanese fashion lover refer to me?..huh? I admit i love jap culture n fashion so much..but i write most of my post kinda thing in indnesian or suroboyoan,means i love n preserve my language. U knw wht,rather than putting hatred among the harajuku wannabe,wht about warn some punk n gothic tht rebell n harmin street about a lil sense of respect to the pedestrian.
And at least.. Lets love without hating will ya folks..merdeka!
Don’t worry. Nothing wrong with loving jazz over keroncong. Or hip hop over gamelan. Or rap over traditional poetry.
It definitely is a good thing to preserve traditional culture. I think however that it shouldn’t be for nationalistic reasons, but because of it’s intrinsic qualities. In that sense it could be part of a national heritage guarded by volunteers and professionals – like old sculptures or paintings which are kept in museums.
But previous, present and future generations always develop their own thing. To their own artistic taste or to their own entertainment preference. Of course, in an open society youngsters now look at other countries and other cultures for what can be used for one’s own purposes. That’s not a reason to doubt one’s love for one’s country.
To my opinion, it is a good thing.
ke bali!!!!!
Hey,
It true that there is nothing wrong about loving hip-hop over keroncong or the violin over gamelan. However I still think as an Indonesian, certain knowledge about our own country and origin must be learnt. And I’m a proud Indonesian, and I in fact do like hip-hop more than keroncong. But I’m proud of my culture and I do think Keroncong is an important part in the development of the music industry in Indonesia. And contrary to what seems to be the popular opinion, I do love the Indonesian people, most of them, beyond the whatever different opinions on them being close minded or hypocritical or corrupted, but above all they are my brothers and sisters and I always feel at home there in Indonesia more than anywhere else in any other country I’ve lived in, not only because it is geographically my point of origin but because of the people. Because I am, despite what I like or what I hate, an Indonesian. I was, I am and I will always be, a very proud Indonesian.