Jakarta, IO – I Wayan Balawan, Indonesia’s prominent guitarist (well-known as Balawan) performed at the 9th Seoul International Harmonica Festival in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
Balawan performed on the stage in front of Seoul’s landmark, the King Sejong statue, with Muhammad Reyhan Naufal on harmonica, Indro Hardjodikoro on bass and Dharrian Emillio on drums.
Balawan gave his most endearing performance when he sang “Janger.” “We would like to tell the South Korean public the beauty of Indonesian diversity that is represented by Bali and depicted by the song Janger. We hope that our performance will entice South Koreans and other foreign visitors to visit Indonesia,” Balawan added, as quoted by Antara.
Balawan also played two other additional songs, “Andong” and “Mood Indigo,” that were well-received by the crowd. B
alawan and his companions celebrated Indonesia-South Korea Diplomatic Relations on their 50th anniversary, following the concert. He hopes to establish stronger cooperation in music and culture, particularly among the younger generation of the two countries.
“Music is a universal medium, transcending ethnicity and race and reflecting Indonesia’s diversity,” stated Joannes E. Tanjung, Minister Counsellor for Creative Economy, Digital Start-Up Acceleration, and Public Diplomacy at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea.
Balawan’s performance in Seoul this year is quite special, as Indonesia and Korea are commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations.
One of the priorities in cooperation is to increase collaboration between Indonesian creative economies and South Korean partners, and music is considered to be a potential creative economy industry that is able to strengthen both countries’ diplomacy.
During Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto’s term of office in 2022, the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul formed a Creative Economy, Digital Commencement-Up Acceleration, and Public Diplomacy functions to establish better diplomacy in the creative economy. (rp)
