Djalal is the Indonesian ambassador. The 2011 Indonesian Festival, which will be Saturday on the National Mall, might set a new Guinness World Record by assembling the world’s largest ever angklung ensemble. Can you tell us a little bit about the angklung?
Angklung is an Indonesian echo instrument. It’s bamboo pieced together, and they make a musical note. So to play a song using angklung, you have to have as many as there are notes required in that song. So for 21 notes, then you will need 21 angklungs. It’s not just an echo instrument, it’s also something that must be done collectively. Angklung is all about solidarity and tolerance and harmony, because you can’t just play it with one person; a large group of people must play together to produce a song.
How many people will you need playing it to make a record?
Usually, it only requires about 20 to 30 angklung players, but here we expect 3,000 to 5,000. And the good thing about it is you don’t need to be a musical expert to play angklung. I know it’s hard to believe, but everyone who was invited to the embassy to do a tryout was amazed by how easy it is; all they have to do is follow the signs.
What kind of food should people expect?
We have two vendors, which will have Indonesian food: hot, spicy food, exotic food.
Do you have a favorite Indonesian food?
My favorite is balado, spicy hot red pepper from Indonesia.
Anything else that attendees should know about the event?
This is also a way for us to honor America and honor the tradition of multiculturalism after the Fourth of July, and the key theme of this event is multiculturalism, which is what Indonesia is all about and which is what America is all about.
Betsy Woodruff
