Yogyakarta
or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at
the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th
centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which
present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions. The city itself
has a special charm which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.
This
province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came
into being in 1755, after the division of Mataram into the Sultanates of
Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese
dances, the wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional
art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in
the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.
The
Sultan's palace is the hub of Yogya's traditional life and despite the advance
of modernity, it still emanates the spirit of refinement which has been the
hallmark of Yogya's art for centuries. Next to the traditional, contemporary
art has found fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the
Academy of Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogya itself has given its name
to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best
personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.
Yogya
is often called the main gateway to the center of Java where it is
geographically located. It stretches from Mount Merapi to the Indian Ocean.
There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as
regular train service and easy accessibility by road.
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Culture
Culture The province of Yogyakarta with its status as a special region lies in the Southern part of Central Java, in the heartland of Javanese culture. As the former capital and the center of several kingdoms in the past, this region and its |
people
are very rich in a variety of cultures. It is widely known from to historical
records that the civilization, art and culture had developed well in the
center of those kingdoms respectively in the era of the Ancient Mataram
Kingdom (8th - 10th Century) the second Mataram Kingdom (17th - 18th Century)
and Sultanate Ngayogyokarto from the mid of 18th Century up today.
It can be mentioned here that the cultural heritage in the past are the magnificent temples, the ruins of palaces and monasteries, the various kind of traditions cultural events, traditional folk performing arts, traditional ritual ceremonies, customs, traditional handicrafts, traditional architecture and other traditional activities. Most of them still exist and are coloring the daily activities of life and behavior of the local inhabitants, particularly the Javanese community with its traditional way of life and customs. Because of its richness in culture therefore Yogyakarta has been known for long as the cradle of the Javanese culture. |
 The Kraton Ngayogyokarto
Hadiningrat (the Sultan's Palace) at the present being is known as a center
of Javanese art and culture activities. Generally the community of Javanese
people still respect their Sultan and are proud of the aristocratic influence
of the Sultanate |
court. The name of the Sultan
holds a special significance for all Yogyanese evoking the traditional
Javanese aristocrat. As a cradle of the Javanese culture, various art
activities still flourish here. There are many traditional events and
ceremonies that have been hold regularly such as Sekaten, Grebegan, Labuhan
and others. A lot of traditional art and performances can be found with its
daily program of cultural presentations, such as The Ramayana Ballet,
Javanese Classical Dance, The Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet play), the Ketoprak
(folk drama) and others. Not less interesting are also the old traditional
rites of the esoteric custom kept alive by the people, particularly by
village inhabitants. In respect of modern art. Yogyakarta excels with a dozen
of art galleries and studios of Indonesia's prominent painters, sculptors,
modern batik designers and choreographers. The educational institutions of
art and craft both provided by state or private are available here, such as
Indonesia Institute of Art, the Conservatorium of Classical Javanese Music
and Dance, some of art foundations, art exercise and rehearsals etc. The
richness in variations are that this city has in store is one of many aspects
that makes Yogyakarta is a city of endless wonder and fascination.
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As the
cradle of Javanese culture, Yogyakarta shows its importance as a cultural and
art center especially in the art of performing and dancing. The following art
and cultural performance can all be found in and around Yogyakarta.
Tnks for visiting
