Indonesia Sets World Record for Largest Angklung Ensemble
President Jokowi Saturday (08/05) attends the Breaking of the World Record for Angklung Performance, at GBK Main Stadium, Jakarta. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
Indonesia broke the world record for the largest angklung performance involving 15,110 participants at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK), Saturday (08/05).
“I can confirm that with 15,110 participants Indonesia has accomplished [the record-breaking],” said the Guinness World Records (GWR) official adjudicator Sonia Usirogochi.
The previous world record for the largest angklung performance was achieved at the Washington Monument, Washington D.C., the United States of America, on July 9, 2011, involving 5,182 participants.
“As is known, the current record is 5,182 participants. In addition, in Indonesia as of last month, the country alone has 124 Guinness World Records. Jakarta has 13 records,” Sonia added.
On the occasion, Sonia handed over the world record certificate to the Chairperson of the Organization for Solidarity Action of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet Era (OASE KIM) Tri Suswati Tito Karnavian, who is also the chairperson of the performance committee. The certificate was then handed over to First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi.
Earlier, thousands of angklung players participating in the performance titled The Largest Angklung Ensemble in the World sang the national song Berkibarlah Benderaku (Fly, My Flag) created by Ibu Sud and a song called Wind of Change popularized by the Scorpions music group. The participants were guided by Saung Angklung Udjo.
The First Lady and the spouse of Vice President Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin and members of the OASE team were seen playing the instrument as well as civil servants and Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) members of several ministries/institutions, the Indonesian National Defense Forces and the National Police, women’s organizations, and others.
In her speech prior to the performance, Tri Tito Karnavian stated that this world record-breaking effort was a tribute to the 78th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.
“We are committed to making this a tribute to the 78th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia in 2023,” Tri said.
In addition, Tri said, the activity initiated by OASE KIM aims to increase the love for Indonesian culture represented through the largest angklung performance in the world. The record-breaking efforthas been planned since last year and the participants have also been practicing for three months.
“Hopefully, after this effort, angklung will continue to be revived, increasingly loved by all generations, and become part of the art of music not only in its home region of West Java province and the country of Indonesia but resonate throughout the world,” she said.
For the record, Angklung, a traditional musical instrument originating from West Java province, is an Indonesian treasure registered and recognized by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage since 2010.
Also attending the record-breaking event were President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. (FID/UN) (FI/MMB)
