The 2012 National Child Puppeteer Festival again was held at Museum Bank Indonesia, organised by PEPADI (Indonesian Puppetry Union) in co-operation with Bank Indonesia from 5 July to 7 July 2012. Such festival was aimed at preserving and developing the culture of puppet in Indonesia, particularly this was dedicated for the young generation. This event was also in conjunction with the celebration of the 59th Bank Indonesia Anniversary on 1 July 2012, addressing the theme on : “Care for People, and Preserve the Culture”.
Around 21 child puppeteers aged 8-15 years coming from 10 provinces all over Indonesia took part in this competition. The Festival was opened by Executive Directore of Currency Circulation of Bank Indonesia, Mr. Gatot Sugiono on behalf of Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Mr. Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo. In this opening Mr. Gatot Sugiono read the speech from Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo, in which Mr. Ardhayadi stated that preserving and developing Indonesia national culture has been long Bank Indonesia’s concern. Mr. Ardhayadi also expected that this event can support the development of Indonesia’s children talent in developing the character and identity as the successor generation. The philosophical and leadership values contained in puppet art will support character building, particularly for young generation amid the global challenges nowadays.
On the first day of Festival, the winner of the 2011 Child Puppeteer Festival, Canggih Tri Atmojo Krisno performed a story of Gathot kaca Jedi. In addition to this, some traditional dances were performed, such as Ponorogo reog (a traditional dance performance from Ponorogo), including its acrobat performance shown by a child. During three days of Festival (5-7 July 2012) starting from 10.00 a.m. until 20.45 p.m., puppet lovers have watched puppet show performed wonderfully by young puppeteers with each play. Among 21 puppeteers who were generally male, was a girl puppeteer from East Kalimantan named Monik Dwi Rahayu. She performed a leather puppet play show about “Kangsa Adu Jago”. This Festival did not only show leather puppet and marionette performances but also a bazaar selling traditional products such as leather puppet, books about art and culture and other merchandise. During the break time a prized quiz programme was given to the viewers by a comedian named Gogon. It seemed that the viewers enjoyed the quiz and tried to answer the questions given by Gogon.
The Festival was officially closed at Museum BI on 7 July evening by Executive Director of Money Circulation, Mr. Gatot Sugiono who read the speech from Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Mr. Bpk. Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo. Such speech conveyed a message from Mr. Ardhayadi saying that this event of National Child Puppet was really in line with the theme addressed in the celebration of National Children’s Day of 2012 on 23 July 2012 saying : “Together Creating Child-Friendly Indonesia”, with a sub-theme on “I am a faithful, honest, smart, healthy, and noble Indonesian child, and also having a top achiever”. Furthermore, Mr. Ardhayadi also sent his congratulations to the winner. This achievement shall enable the winner to improve his self confidence in undertaking any activity that will give benefits. To those who have not succeeded, Mr. Ardhayadi stated not to be disappointed, because he believed that all participants were special and highly creative children. He emphasized that all participants shall continuously try their best to improve their talent and skills, as the future of puppet art and puppetry lies in the children. It is the children who will continue the preservation of puppetry, so that puppetry can continually develop and become an entertaining show amid the global culture currently.
In this closing ceremony, Head of Board of Jury announced the best puppet performer, named Bagus Pramita Adi Nugroho from East Java, and he is entitled to receive a trophy from Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Boediono. The ceremony of trophy presentation took place at the Vice President Palace on 7 July 2012 at 19.00. 19.00. In addition to this, such closing event was becoming more interesting with an attractive puppet show performed by Ki Cahyo Kuntadi playing “ “Pandawa Boyong”.
Out of 19 participants taking part in this Festival, five puppeteers were selected as non-ranking performers. As for such child category, they were considered to have a reasonably good technique in performing puppet show. Those five puppeteers are the following :
1. Bagus Pramita Adi Nugroho (East Java) with “Labuh Nagri” play, East Jave style.
2. Apriliawan Endi Wahyu Nugroho (Central Java), with “Langen Rojomolo” play, Surakarta style.
3. Yoga Nurdiansyah K.S. (Central Java) with “Ramasyara” play, marionette of Sundanese
4. Rosiansah Dharma (Special Region of Yogyakarta) with “Lahire Sekutrem” play, Jogyakarta style.
5. DananWisnuPratama (Special District of Jakarta) with “DewaAmral” play, Surakarta style.