UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta through the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (PUI) Fintech and Banking, in collaboration with the Institut Francais d’ Indonesie (IFI) Yogyakarta and L’Association rebonds, supported the Legend of Godogan performance. The show was performed at the Pendhapa R.Ng. Yasadipura PUI Javanologi UNS on Monday (22/8/2022) evening. Previously, the Legend of Godogan was performed on Saturday (20/8/2022) at Pendopo Widya Mataram University for the Yogyakarta International Gamelan Festival (YGF).
In his remarks, the Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sajidan, M.Sc., expressed his gratitude for choosing UNS to be a partner in this Legend of Godogan performance. “The presence of this performance also shows UNS’ commitment to always preserve Javanese culture. Thank you for the beautiful collaboration from the creators, and welcome to the show tonight,” said Prof. Sajidan.
The Director of IFI Yogyakarta, Francois Dabin, also expressed his happiness because he could gather at this Pendhapa. Francois Dabin added that the Legend of Godogan is a dance performance and original gamelan scores by Alex Grillo, written by Elisabeth D. Inandiak, which was inspired by various versions of a Balinese legend, the Prince and the Toad.
Francois Dabin added that IFI Yogyakarta is proud and supportive of this new artwork performance. Moreover, the Legend of Godogan works was created harmoniously, bringing together artists, styles, traditions, and diverse cultures. “We also thank Mr. Alex Grillo for his contribution to promoting gamelan to France. Gamelan, which is a symbol of traditional Javanese culture, has also received special attention in France. And I think it will gain more attention because gamelan has been inaugurated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) by UNESCO,” said Francois Dabin.
Francois Dabin also expressed his unwavering gratitude for UNS’ support in organizing this event, considering that this agenda was the second occasion where UNS welcomed the play of Alex Grillo and the Gayam Community16. During the question and answer session, Alex Grillo, who is also a French composer and percussionist, said that the Legend of Godogan is a cultural collaboration between France and Indonesia along with musicians and dancers from the Gayam Community16.
“The show will be performed in combination with electric gamelan. This work involves two artistic cultures, Indonesian and French, consisting of dance and spatial gamelan elements mixed with electric musical instruments. This combination refers to a stage performance consisting of dramaturgy, narration, song, and stage arts. During the performance, the narrative is also delivered in two languages, French and Indonesian. Some narratives are recited by a narrator, while others are sung, like the Javanese tradition,” Alex Grillo concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti