REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANYUWANGI -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has invited hundreds of Banyuwangi's Gandrung dancers to perform at the National Palace during the 72nd Independence Day celebrations on Aug 17, 2017.
Banyuwangi's Mayor, Abdullah Azwar Anas, stated in Banyuwangi on Monday that the invitation from Jokowi is to honor Banyuwangi people and their arts. Earlier, Jokowi had also invited the Gandrung dancers during Youth Pledge Day celebration on Oct 20, 2016.
"We appreciate the central government and the president for having a real spirit to encourage local arts. The dancers have now been given an opportunity to perform during Independence Day celebrations in the presence of state official guests, important figures, and representatives from friendly countries. This has become a proof of cultural diversity that unites and not divides. With abundant diversities, we could strengthen each other," he remarked.
Around 200 Gandrung dancers, consisting of junior and senior high school students, were off to Jakarta from Banyuwangi on Saturday night (Aug 12). They would perform Jejer Kembang Menur dance, a new creation of Jejer Gandrung Dance.
Gandrung dance is scheduled to be performed after the Independence Day ceremony at National Palace's Yard on Thursday (Aug 17). The dance will be performed as the closing event.
Convoy leader, Budiyanto, explained that the dance illustrates teenage girls' challenges while facing their future. The dancers would wear black-and-red outfits, with red shawl and long black fabric.
"They will also dance with big red-and-white fans on their hands, which reveals the spirit of Independence Day," Budiyanto added.
The Gandrung dancers would also exhibit colossal formation, performing with subtle movements and making several formations.
"The point is that we would display the best performance ever. We would not lose at Gandrung Sewu Festival, which is a big event in Banyuwangi each year," he asserted.
Meanwhile, one of the dancers Aritha Maulida noted that she was happy that she could take part in this performance. She signed herself when there was a selection for Gandrung dancers to perform at the National Palace for Independence Day Ceremony.
"Thank God, I could pass the selection after undergoing five selection stages. I am happy that I could be part of this team. Performing in front of the president and important figures is a special honor for me. I am happy that Gandrung was chosen for the performance, as this is like an award for the students who love to dance like me," Aritha, from Public Junior High School 1 Wongsorejo, revealed.
She added that her performance at the National Palace would be a very memorable experience for her. "This would be a motivation to keep studying even more," she pointed out.
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