U.S. Citizens Keen To Know More About Gamelan

Yogyakarta, Oct 10 (Antara) - Many US citizens want to know more about the Indonesian culture, particularly gamelan music and the batik fabric, according to Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal. "We will be holding the Indonesian Celebration Week 2013, in conjunction with the American Batik Design Competition, from October 28 to November 2 in Washington DC," Djalal said here on Wednesday. After a meeting with Yogyakarta`s Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Djalal said he would invite the governor to attend the event. "We will invite Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X to attend the Indonesian Celebration Week 2013 to introduce gamelan and batik to the US citizens," he noted. According to him, Sri Sultan is known as a populist and capable leader, and one of Indonesian reformers. "Therefore, both the Indonesian and the US citizens highly expect the presence of Sri Sultan at the Indonesian Celebration Week 2013 in Washington DC," Djalal said. Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta governor said he would accept the invitation of the Indonesian ambassador to the United States and attend the event that will showcase gamelan and batik. Sri Sultan also acknowledged that the interest of the US citizens in the culture of Yogyakarta, especially gamelan and batik, is really high. He said the US citizens highly appreciate Yogyakarta`s gamelan and batik, and therefore, there are many US gamelan communities in Uncle Sam`s country.