Metta Dian

Soranbusi dance from Japan, performed by multicultural IIWC volunteers in the International AIDS Day, Semarang

I was asked by volunteer friends who were having AIDS camp in localization of Sunan Kuning, to photograph the International AIDS day which was commemorated on 1st of December 2008, in Semarang. I photographed the climax campaign which was held by ASA (Aksi Peduli AIDS or AIDS Awareness Action) who are closely working with IPPA (Indonesia Parenthood Program Association).

The campaign sponsored by Griya ASA, ASA, KPA, Marimas, Pertamina, etc was the climax of the chain of activites in relation with Anti AIDS campaign that absolutely would not be ignored by the social and health activists and NGOs.

What they did on the days before were making a thousand flowers as a sign of sympathic to the day and gave them to the people on the street on the 1st December. They also collected signatures in small cards containing simple data of the people that stated they do aware to the virus and its danger to the people. The signatures collection was done in the Simpang Lima complex and the rest was done also in the Kalibanteng street side.

Well, back to the last biggest event, it was in Atrium Ciputra Mall Semarang on an open stage to attract mall visitors by having some art and culture performances until night falls such as accoustic music, live band, modern dance, theatre and culture exchange. Then IIWC was for sure did not leave this last moment.

Representated by Ismi (Indonesia, camp leader), Ann (Australia) and Haruka (Japan), plus three other IIWC volunteers who were also the members of AMSA (hmm…i forgot what the abbreviation stands for, but more or less is the organzation for medical faculty students), Indri, Aryo and Seto, performed a Japanese dance called Soranbusi, which was a symbol of a hard work of Japanese fisherman.

This is another specialization of IIWC, culture exchange! Not always literally interpreted as indonnesian and foreign cultures that must be exchanged in one place and time, but it is about how we respect the differences. That was what I saw, a Japanese dance performance which was done by multicultural people and then even they dragged some other audiences to learn together the dance on stage.

This is the unique, why the dance was chosen? Simply because it would be more attractive for the audiences who were most Indonesian, they never really watched it before. Secondly, was because the easy and simple movement that even a people who never dance they can do it in one time practice. Again, that’s what really happened on the stage!

These volunteers on stage only had short time to prepare a performance, they practiced only two time in two days, and what did they do on stage? Awesome flawless performance! And i think this was the most unique performance as long as I was there. Hmm…too bad that we didnt stay longer to watch the EMKA Theatre, they might be the same unique too…:)

Anyway , honestly, though i was a bit late to be there, but since the dance was repeated two times on stage I could finish my job as a photographer or I should say as a documentator. I will post the video as soon as the staff release it. Ciao!

Metta Dian