INDONESIAN DIPLOMACY: SAFEGUARDING WAYANG PUPPET THEATER WITHIN UNESCO CONVENTION AS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (2003 - 2013)

Abstract

This research describes Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy in promoting and preserving Wayang as a part of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). In this case, UNESCO held a convention for safeguarding ICH and Indonesia registered Wayang Puppet Theater to be the representative list of ICH. Indonesia had prepared a lot of effort to complete the requirement in national and international level. In 2005-2007, UNESCO and Indonesia had worked together in a project to safeguard Wayang Puppet Theater. This project also engaged and connected with the institution within the country, such as Sena Wangi, Pepadi, ISI and some stakeholders. The timeframe of this research is during 2003-2013; because it was the top part of this research. In 2003, Indonesia registered Wayang as representative list of ICH, and in 2008, it was acknowledged as the art of the list. This research used Qualitative Method and Descriptive approach, by analyzing reports and documents from UNESCO as the primary resources, the writer also done personal interviews with President University lecture(s) who expert in the field of cultural heritage. Generally, it has proven that UNESCO had worked in the field of culture and helped States in safeguarding the cultural heritage. In 2008, Wayang Puppet Theater was acknowledged by UNESCO as a part of Intangible Cultural Heritage list. In this regard, Indonesia had to maintain the existence of Wayang performance, because if Indonesia failed to preserve and promote Wayang performance, Indonesia would be delisted from the list as a punishment. The efforts of Indonesia to safeguarding Wayang performance are still going on; Indonesia started to work hard to promote Wayang performance in national, regional and international level by doing some activities and events.