UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga has its own way to promote Indonesian culture to foreigners. This time, the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) invited inbound students from Chuo University to learn about gamelan art at the Pakarsajen BSO Room, UNAIR Dharmawangsa-B Campus on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The person in charge of the program, Dwi Sensei said that it is a precious experience for him to contribute to promoting local cultures. He believed that introducing Indonesian culture to foreign students is important, especially for branding and revitalizing the local culture.

“They [Chuo University students] are here to learn the Indonesian language, which means they have to learn the culture as well. Language is an inseparable and integral part of the culture,” said the Department of Japanese Studies lecturer.

“Those [gamelan and language] are not closely related, indeed. Maybe some of them have known gamelan, but the experience of playing gamelan is different,” he added.

Gaining appreciation

Seeing the Japanese students’ enthusiasm for learning gamelan, UNAIR NEWS managed to interview Yohichiro Hata, one of the students from Chuo University and a music composer from a Japanese band group. He shared his experience in playing traditional music.

“I’m studying Indonesian language at my campus and now, I get to be here to learn Indonesian culture. I think gamelan is very interesting. It feels like I’m blending with the earth and fly to the sky with its natural sound,” Hata said.

He believed that gamelan has special features. The feature intrigued Hata to learn more and introduce the music in Japan.

“I want to promote gamelan to the Japanese people and my band. That’s why I’m very enthusiastic about learning gamelan,” said the vocalist of Hata Band.

Author: Aidatul Fitriyah

Editor: Binti Q Masruroh