News
Caping Tourism Village in Pontianak Preserves Jepin Traditional Dance
WINDONESIA May 15, 2024
Dance Studio Team of Caping Tourism Village, Pontianak City (ANTARA/Beni T.)
Caping Tourism Village in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province is actively preserving traditional Pontianak Malay dances such as Jepin through its art studio.
"Traditional dances are those brought from the past to the present, like the gentle Jepin and the Bujur Serong Jepin. We continue to preserve these for future generations so they don't fade away," Alda, a dance instructor at Caping Village, said.
She explained that the lessons for Jepin dance begin with children as young as five years old and even include adults.
"Here, people of all ages learn Jepin dance. Of course, children are prioritized as the next generation," Alda informed.
In addition to traditional dances, creative dances are also taught. Alda said that these creative dances are developments from traditional dances, with movements evolved to become more beautiful.
"Creative dances that are created do not lose their traditional elements, only the movements are developed to be more elegant," she explained.
Alda revealed that the dancers in the studio undergo internal exams for evaluation and performance testing every four to six months.
"From these performance tests, we can identify children with more potential, and then we invite them for additional training outside regular practice hours to further develop their skills and the dances," the dance instructor said.
Alda also divulged that her students perform in both government and private sector events.
"Recently, we also took part in the Kalbar Menari event organized by the West Kalimantan Government. This was a great opportunity for us to showcase our talents and improve our skills," she stated.
Previously, the West Kalimantan Government organized Kalbar Menari with the theme "Simultaneously Dancing to Bring Happiness to the Earth."
The event, held by the West Kalimantan Province Education and Culture Office to commemorate the World Dance Day, was officially opened by the West Kalimantan Acting Governor Harisson at the West Kalimantan Governor's Pavilion on A. Yani Street in Pontianak.
Participants in Kalbar Menari showcased 56 types of dances, and the event involved 22 schools, 17 communities, 17 art studios, and five associations dancing for West Kalimantan across 4 stages.
Source: www.suarakalbar.co.id
