Bekraf focuses on turning Ambon into world city of music

Ambon, Maluku, March 18 (Antaranews Maluku9) - The Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) focuses on developing Ambon into a city of music of the world in 2019, Deputy V for the Facilitation of Intellectual Property Rights and Regulation of the agency Ari Juliano Gema said.

"The designation of Ambon to become a city of music of the world was declared in October 2016 in accordance with a criteria set by UNESCO," he said here on Saturday.
According to Ari, although three Indonesian cities - Manado, Medan and Toraja - have already applied to Bekraf to become cities of music, Ambon remains the main focus.

We are principally ready to realize Ambon as a miniature city of music in Indonesia, because it has received support from six Bekraf deputies who concentrate on Ambon in order to maximize the results," he said.

He said of the 16 sub-sectors in Bekraf, three sectors are the leading ones, namely culinary, craft and fashion, while the other three sectors are prioritized in film, animation and video, game developer and application and music sector.

Three sub-sectors are increasing so that they got into priority in 2018, especially the music sub-sector following the designation of Ambon into a UNESCO city of music.

We build the ecosystem to realize Ambon as a world music city optimally. If all these efforts have accepted by UNESCO, then Ambon in the future will be a model for other cities wishing to be cities of music," he said.

Ari said at least there are seven criteria for a city to be recognized as a city of music.

Among the criteria are the readiness of local governments to prepare regulations, infrastructure for theatrical performances, recording studios, music schools, and human resources.

"The development of an international standard recording studio and theater has been inaugurated by the chairman of the House of Representatives. We expect the utilization of this infrastructure by local musicians in the future," he said.

After the constructions of recording studio and theater are completed, the next stage is the development of a Music Documentation Center (PDM) in Indonesia in cooperation with the National Library and Archives.

"Later this PDM will accommodate the entire documents on music in Indonesia. We hope music to become an instrument of economy," he stated.

Bekraf has been trying to meet all criteria set by UNESCO so that later it could provide economic benefits for the people.

"Currently Ambon does not have a music school yet, but we are optimistic in the near future Ambon will have a music school that can produce a good musician. We will help the Ambon Government to make it happen by preparing the human resources and curriculum," he added.

(T.KR-TQA/F001)
(T.SYS/A/KR-TQA/F001) 18-03-2018 09:28:01