April 25, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Congratulations to Indonesia for having 11 Indonesian heritages acknowledged as world cultural heritages recently. The 11 heritages include batik, wayang (shadow puppetry) and angklung. While Indonesia celebrates its success, Malaysia would do well to take a note on Indonesia’s efforts in promoting cultural aspects to UNESCO. It would not really do us any good to compare, but Malaysia is rich in culture and heritage. It would be a waste if this rich and diverse culture is not given its due recognition. Recognition, however, will only come if heritage and culture are preserved, documented and promoted. And that is where perhaps Malaysia is lagging behind.
Indonesia is filled with rich and diverse culture, like Malaysia
In recent years, Malaysia has been pragmatic, focusing on other new segments of tourism, including business and medical tourism. Emphasis has also been put on bringing in foreign visitors who are able and willing to spend more during their stay, and also developing events that will generate a higher percentage of revenue. As a result, Malaysia has a number of high profile events, both international and regional, that not only brings in well-heeled visitors, but also serve as meeting places where people from all around the world can make deals, with Malaysia getting a piece of the profits.
But where does that leave the rich culture and heritage that we see so often being promoted in tourism ads? While it cannot be argued that pragmatism works well, with Malaysia registering among the top 10 countries in terms of tourist arrivals, are we actually in danger of letting our priceless treasures slip through our grasp as we try to grab material gains? Are we actually thinking too much with our heads and not with our hearts? Have we forgotten our roots in our race towards development? If that is actually the case, then it is a sorry day for a nation that gave birth to the the local proverb “Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat” (Let the child die, but never our customs).
Tell us what YOU think.
Read the full article below:
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has acknowledged 11 Indonesian heritages as world cultural heritages, Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported, quoting local reports on Thursday.
Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said that the Indonesian world cultural heritages acknowledged by UNESCO included batik, wayang (shadow puppets), angklung and the prehistoric human site Sangiran.
His speech was read out by the ministry’s Director General of Art, Cultural and Film Values Ukus Kuswara.
Some 689 cultural heritages are on cultural aspects and 176 on natural aspects, Antara cited the Jakarta Post on Thursday.
“The preservation of Keris as a cultural heritage, the minister adds, is not an easy task to do and becomes a certain challenge because the younger generation has not found it to their liking,” he said.
Source: Bernama
Photo (c) FatPassport
Malaysia’s World Cultural Heritages
April 25, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Congratulations to Indonesia for having 11 Indonesian heritages acknowledged as world cultural heritages recently. The 11 heritages include batik, wayang (shadow puppetry) and angklung. While Indonesia celebrates its success, Malaysia would do well to take a note on Indonesia’s efforts in promoting cultural aspects to UNESCO. It would not really do us any good to compare, but Malaysia is rich in culture and heritage. It would be a waste if this rich and diverse culture is not given its due recognition. Recognition, however, will only come if heritage and culture are preserved, documented and promoted. And that is where perhaps Malaysia is lagging behind.
Indonesia is filled with rich and diverse culture, like Malaysia
In recent years, Malaysia has been pragmatic, focusing on other new segments of tourism, including business and medical tourism. Emphasis has also been put on bringing in foreign visitors who are able and willing to spend more during their stay, and also developing events that will generate a higher percentage of revenue. As a result, Malaysia has a number of high profile events, both international and regional, that not only brings in well-heeled visitors, but also serve as meeting places where people from all around the world can make deals, with Malaysia getting a piece of the profits.
But where does that leave the rich culture and heritage that we see so often being promoted in tourism ads? While it cannot be argued that pragmatism works well, with Malaysia registering among the top 10 countries in terms of tourist arrivals, are we actually in danger of letting our priceless treasures slip through our grasp as we try to grab material gains? Are we actually thinking too much with our heads and not with our hearts? Have we forgotten our roots in our race towards development? If that is actually the case, then it is a sorry day for a nation that gave birth to the the local proverb “Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat” (Let the child die, but never our customs).
Tell us what YOU think.
Read the full article below:
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has acknowledged 11 Indonesian heritages as world cultural heritages, Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported, quoting local reports on Thursday.
Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said that the Indonesian world cultural heritages acknowledged by UNESCO included batik, wayang (shadow puppets), angklung and the prehistoric human site Sangiran.
His speech was read out by the ministry’s Director General of Art, Cultural and Film Values Ukus Kuswara.
Some 689 cultural heritages are on cultural aspects and 176 on natural aspects, Antara cited the Jakarta Post on Thursday.
“The preservation of Keris as a cultural heritage, the minister adds, is not an easy task to do and becomes a certain challenge because the younger generation has not found it to their liking,” he said.
Source: Bernama
Photo (c) FatPassport
Tags: indonesia, International Events, malaysia, tourism promotion, unesco heritage tourism