Guinness World Record on Angklung set in Beijing

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing in cooperation with the Indonesia – China Friendship Association (PPIT) have successfully organized the world record breaking Angklung performance at the Beijing Workers' Gymnasium in Beijing, capital of China, on June 30, 2013. Approximately 5,393 people from all corners of the world participated in this world record breaking attempt, officially recorded by the Guinness World Records. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing in cooperation with the Indonesia – China Friendship Association (PPIT) have successfully organized the world record breaking Angklung performance at the Beijing Workers' Gymnasium in Beijing, capital of China, on June 30, 2013.

Approximately 5,393 people from all corners of the world participated in this world record breaking attempt, officially recorded by the Guinness World Records.

The previous record was held by Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC, USA which booked the record in 2011.

A number of ambassadors from friendly countries spotted participating in this memorable event. With other participants from around 40 nationalities, they seemed to really enjoy the songs being played by musicians from 'Saung Udjo Music Workshop' whose hometown is Bandung, West Java Province, and led by their maestro, Mr Daeng Udjo.

The participants were entertained by the Angklung Orchestra to the harmonious tunes of Indonesia's traditional song "Manuk Dadali", China's all time favorite song "Yueliang Daibiao Wo De Xin", and the internationally known song "We are the World".

Angklung is a traditional music instrument made of bamboos and originated from West Java Province. It was recognized by UNESCO as the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In his remarks, marking the record breaking event, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China Mr Imron Cotan said "such an international recognition has fortified our efforts to further introduce this heritage to the rest of the world."

Ambassador Cotan also underlined that this record breaking attempt will not only further solidify the bilateral relationship, as mandated by the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership jointly signed by President Hu Jintao and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in April 2005, but also enhance people-to-people relationship through an entertaining and unforgettable musical event.

At the end of the show, the Embassy of Indonesia in Beijing gave away around 115 door-prizes from the sponsors, covering inter-alia three return tickets to any chosen destinations in Indonesia, courtesy of Indonesia's flight carrier Garuda Indonesia.