Commemorating National Children’s Day, Universitas Indonesia (UI) through Makara Art Center (MAC) held a traditional Wayang puppet show with puppeteers ranging from young children to teenagers. The puppet show is a series of commemorations of National Children’s Day with the theme “Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia”.
Three days earlier, MAC UI had organized a photo exhibition with the theme “Portrait of Indonesian Children”, an exhibition of paintings by children, and a cultural workshop. The event was held at the MAC UI Building and streamed live through Makara Art Center’s official Youtube account.
The puppet show was presented by nine puppeteers who are in elementary school, junior high school, high school, and university. The nine puppeteers perform one play at a time. At the event held on Saturday (23/07), the Chairman of the National Secretariat of Pewayangan Indonesia (Senawangi), Dr. Sri Teddy Rusdy, was present to inaugurate and open the performance. MAC UI collaborated with Sanggar Saeko Budhoyo and Sanggar Panji Laras in organizing the performance. This activity was also supported by PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, Akar Insula, and the Center for Research on Society and Culture, Faculty of Humanities UI.
Head of MAC UI, Dr. Ngatawi Al-Zastrouw, S.Ag., M.Si., said that the commemoration of National Children’s Day not only appreciates the work and potential of children, but also encourages children’s creativity. “This puppet show with child puppeteers is one of UI’s efforts as an educational institution to support the creativity of Indonesian children. Through the puppet show, we hope that the younger generation will be able to maintain the nation’s cultural traditions and take lessons from the root values contained therein,” said Dr. Zastrouw.
Yuliana Putri Pratama, a 2022 student of Javanese Literature at FIB UI, was one of the puppeteers in the performance. She received direct praise from Dr. Zastrouw for performing her talent, even before the Introduction of the Faculty Academic System (Faculty Orientation) began. “This is awesome. She is still a new student, but she already has courage to show her creativity with confidence. Hopefully in the future Yuliana will be able to develop and be passionate in maintaining the nation’s cultural traditions,” said Dr. Zastrouw.
In addition to introducing cultural traditions, this puppet show also invites all elements of society to prioritize tolerance, respect differences, and uphold the value of diversity. According to Dr. Zastrouw, children are the future successors of the nation who must be protected for their rights to education, health, identity and to participate in development.
As stated by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, there are four basic rights of children, namely the right to life, the right to grow and develop, the right to protection, and the right to participate. These rights are guaranteed by all parties, including parents, community institutions, businesses, government and religious institutions.
Although National Children’s Day is celebrated only once every year, Dr. Zastrouw emphasized that the fulfillment of children’s rights must be done every day. The fulfillment of children’s basic rights supports optimal child development. Therefore, basic rights must be enjoyed by every child without exception. MAC UI is present as one of the centers to accommodate the rights of participation and growth of children to show their individual talents.
“MAC UI facilitates children who want to develop their identity, such as today’s puppet show. Basically, every child has different talents. I hope that children will be able to explore their abilities, both in the fields of dance, puppetry, music, drama, painting, and the like,” said Dr. Zastrouw closing his remarks.
