Images of Culture and National Development in Indonesia: The Cockroach Opera

Abstract

GUEST: Amazing. (In English.) Wonderful. Great. Satisfactory. Foreign aid that has really been used appropriately. I'll report on all this. FIRST OFFICIAL: This is nothing yet. On that empty piece of land in front, we're going to build schools, public libraries, houses of worship, and markets for petty traders. Everything for the prosperity of the people. GUEST: A noble plan. Once more, amazing. We do not regret having aided the realization of this noble plan-in fact, we're proud. Again, extraordinary. (Clucks in amazement.) SECOND OFFICIAL: And not only that-art and culture will also be given attention. We will erect facilities for all of that over here. Yes, there. The vitality of the arts, modern as well as traditional, will continue to be subsidized. This is important-and, of course, has been the nature of our people since the age of Majapahit and the Javanese kings. Research projects on traditional culture get top priority. Ancient remains are to be rebuilt, all of them, and even cemeteries revered by their communities will be restored. Our descendants must know in the