Angklung For the World: From Bandung to the Guinness World of Records

Indonesia's Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, concurrently  Committee Chairman for Side Events of the 60^th Commemoration ofthe Asian African Conference, keeps a watchful eye especially on preparations for the colossal “Angklung for the World” Show which will take place Thursday, 23^rd April 2015 at the Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung from 09.30 to 10.30 am. The event is crucial, since those performing will be over 20,000 people who will play different notes under the command of one conductor, - which may indeed be quite complicated.

Performers need to be able to collaborate within a large space with the furthest distance among players reaching 125 meters. With such a span in distance, even if one were to scream as loud as possible, it will still take time before his or her voice willreach the other end. The venue which uses the curved spectators podium will produce resonance or echoes .”From the Siliwangi Stadium, the greatest angklung show ever performed in history will be recorded in the Guinness World of Records 2015.  While preparations are now 100% ready ,” stated Minister Arief Yahya.

“The exact number of  participants who will play the angklung in this show will be counted, checked and directly controlled by the team from the Guinness World of Records. At time when participants enter the venue with each carrying the traditional Sundanese bamboo musical instrument, they will be counted by the team. At present already 20,000 people  have registered to take part and perform in this colossal musical show” explained Arief Yahya.

The colossal angklung mega orchestra will play the well loved heroic song entitled “Halo Halo Bandung” which describes the relentless spirit  of the people of  Bandung defending their city and the country from recolonization in Indonesia's fight for Independence since 1945. The song  captures an historical event  in 1946 known as “Bandung Lautan Api” or "Bandung engulfed in an Ocean of Fire", when the people preferred to burn down their city rather than let it fall into the enemy’s hands. The legendary song is truly an inspiration and is most  fitting to be played by an orchestra comprising an  ocean of angklungs.

Another legendary song to be  played in this  performance will be  “We are the World”. Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson in 1985, the song is an anthem to humanity that was originally performed by Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie and other American pop superstars of the time in the Supergroup USA For America. The song inspired world solidarity during the famine in Africa in 1984-1985 and was used as a single to raise contributions from across  the globe. “The song is a perfect choice for the 60^th Commemoration of the Asian African Conference” commented Arief Yahya.

The colossal angklung performance will undoubtedly leave an indelible memory on those attending the 60^th Commemoration ofthe Asian African Conference. “We are very optimistic that it will be a great success,  since all preparations are set, and everything is being coordinated in detail. There are a number of challenges, but we are sure that everything will go as planned. To top it all, Guinness World of Records will capture the spectacular event in an attempt to create a new record of  angklung music played by  20,000 people in one single venue, and all that will also be recorded by  the media, social media and all who witness this extraordinary performance” concluded Tourism Minister Arief Yahya. (Indonesia.travel)