Bandung Angklung Team to Tour Australia
Angklung Ensemble Embarks on Australian tour to Foster Cultural Exchange and Language Learning
An Indonesian angklung ensemble is set to captivate audiences across Australia with a series of performances and educational workshops. The tour, scheduled from September 1st to 4th, aims to promote Indonesian culture, strengthen diplomatic ties, and crucially, boost interest in learning the Indonesian language among Australian students.
Cultural Diplomacy and Educational Outreach in Canberra
The ensemble’s Australian journey will commence with a significant engagement in Canberra. From September 1st to 4th, they are slated to perform at Albert Hall Canberra during a diplomatic reception hosted by the Indonesian Embassy. This high-profile event underscores the cultural diplomacy aspect of their mission.
Following the reception, the group will shift their focus to educational outreach. They are scheduled to conduct angklung playing training sessions at various schools. This initiative is notably vital, as highlighted by Maulana, a representative of the ensemble. He expressed concern over the declining interest in learning the Indonesian language in Australian schools, noting that a continued decline could lead to the liquidation of the Indonesian language curriculum.
“So we also have that mission, to save the Indonesian language that already exists in the Australian school curriculum,” Maulana stated, emphasizing the dual purpose of their visit: cultural promotion and language preservation.
The tour will culminate with another concert at the Indonesian Embassy, this time coinciding with the Diaspora Canberra event, further solidifying their presence and engagement within the Indonesian community and diplomatic circles in Australia.
Angklung Playing Training: A bridge to Indonesian Language Learning
The angklung playing training sessions are designed not only to introduce the unique musical instrument but also to serve as a gateway to deeper engagement with Indonesian culture and language. Maulana believes that hands-on musical experience can significantly ignite a passion for learning the Indonesian language.
“If the interest continues to decline, the Indonesian language curriculum will be liquidated,” Maulana reiterated, underscoring the urgency of their mission. The ensemble sees the angklung as a powerful tool to re-engage Australian youth with the Indonesian language, fostering a new generation of learners and cultural enthusiasts.
Fundraising Efforts Underway for Aspiring Tour
The ambitious angklung music journey across Australia requires significant funding, with a total of Rp 2.5 billion needed. Currently, the ensemble has managed to collect approximately half of this amount. To mitigate costs, particularly for accommodation, Maulana confirmed that the team will be staying with local residents. “As there is no budget for staying in hotels,” he explained, highlighting their resourcefulness.Transportation between cities will be self-funded,and the team is actively seeking sponsors for airfare. One of their key fundraising initiatives includes a concert scheduled for the evening of August 1st, 2025, at the West Java Cultural Park’s Closed Theater in Bandung. Furthermore, the tim Muhibah Angklung has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, hoping for approval of “Indonesiana funds” which would significantly alleviate their financial challenges.
This upcoming Australian tour builds upon the ensemble’s previous accomplished engagements. The tim Muhibah Angklung team previously performed in four Australian cities between January 16th and 28th, 2018, garnering positive reception and demonstrating the appeal of Indonesian music on the international stage.
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