The pulse of the national culture must keep moving. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, it was precisely this space for cultural expression that was raised so that it was able to strengthen the sense, intention, human body, to the economy of the community. One of them is a form to foster the cultural expression of this nation, the government is again holding a National Culture Week (PKN) as a symbol and symbol of Nusantara culture.

This PKN event is actually not the first time it has been held, this activity was also held last year. What is the difference between National Cultural Week 2019 and PKN 2020?

In 2019, PKN was held in the Istora Senayan area, Jakarta. However, this activity was carried out online or online. The reason is, now the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak is still ongoing. This is in accordance with the statement of the Taklimat Media for the launch of the 2020 National Culture Week via the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture’s Youtube channel, Friday (23/10/2020).

Director General of Culture Hilmar Farid said that the 2020 PKN was here as a basic foothold in dealing with the pandemic. “The theme of this year’s National Cultural Week specifically is ‘Cultural Resiliance’, which is essentially culture, in which there are traditional knowledge, arts, and various other cultural expressions as our basis for dealing with this pandemic. Because in culture, we find the elements our bodies need to strengthen themselves in the face of the current situation. “

In the second implementation this year, PKN will present four basic programs that can generally be watched through online broadcasts, namely competitions, exhibitions, performances, and conferences. Especially for the exhibition, there will be two exhibitions that can also be witnessed directly physically, of course limited and with health protocols, namely the Affandi Immersive Exhibition at the National Gallery, Jakarta, and the Prince Diponegoro Heritage Exhibition at the National Museum, Jakarta.

Affandi’s Immersive Exhibition invites visitors to experience the immersive experience of “entering” Affandi’s painting world, through a selection of the maestro’s works presented in a moving image projection (video mapping projection) accompanied by music and sound.

Also presented are a number of Affandi’s paintings in the collections of the National Gallery of Indonesia from the 1940s to 1970s. Affandi (1907-1990) was an influential maestro in the development of modern Indonesian art.

It is hoped that the feeling, determination and fighting spirit of Affandi’s works will become an inspiration amid the turmoil during the corona pandemic. This event will be held from October 26 to November 25, 2020.

Meanwhile, the exhibition “Pamor Sang Pangeran” displays the figure of Pangeran Diponegoro in a contemporary form. The story of the prince’s life will be presented with a storytelling concept equipped with video mapping technology and Japanese manga comics that are very popular with young people.

The prince will also appear with his beloved horse, a living heirloom named Kanjeng Kiai Gentayu in the form of a hologram. Also shown is an animated film about the story of Prince Diponegoro from his arrest in Magelang (28 March 1830) to his exile to Manado (3 May 1830) entitled “Diponegoro 1830”.

In this exhibition, photos of Diponegoro’s paintings and sketches created by artists from the period 1807 to 2019 are also presented. In addition, what is equally important are the treats of Prince Diponegoro’s heirlooms that were confiscated by the Dutch, and Babad Diponegoro (1831-1832) which is a script a classic autobiography of the prince written during his early exile in Manado.

This exhibition is an explicit illustration of Prince Diponegoro’s fighting spirit against Dutch colonialism. During a pandemic like now, this exhibition is expected to be an alternative educational entertainment for the Indonesian people.

The show was held at the Jakarta National Museum from 28 October to 26 November 2020. However, what is clear is that it is in accordance with the main theme of PKN 2020, namely “Happy Indonesia Common Room”. This theme was chosen because the narrative to be emphasized is strengthening the body from a cultural perspective.

Under this theme, PKN 2020 intends to provide a space for artistic and cultural expression to the public and simultaneously drive the cultural economy in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The effort to organize this event is also proof of the state’s siding with artists and art workers in a situation full of new possibilities, full of new normality.

There are at least four main programs in the PKN 2020 event, including competitions, conferences, exhibitions, and performances. Given the breadth of Indonesia’s cultural sphere that pulsates today (from traditional to contemporary, from religious aims to leisure time entertainment) and the richness of Indonesian culture (which stretches from Sabang to Merauke from Sangir Talaud to Rote).

You could say that PKN 2020 is the largest online cultural event in the world. A total of 4,791 artists and art workers will be involved, presenting 27 conference themes and 93 performances. Then there are 1,477 works of visual art on display.

There are still several other cultural agendas such as the World Musik online stage at PKN 2020. The public can check the agenda, as well as participate in competitions or just watch through the pkn.id page from 31 October – 30 November 2020.

For people who want to watch PKN 2020, they still have to register. The goal is that PKN enthusiasts can get a definite schedule of these activities in addition to the limited quota factor. Come on, get interesting information from Indonesiar.com.