Latest news with #Sundanese
Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
A soulful, slow travel guide to Bandung, Indonesia
Kawah Putih (White Crater) Above Turquoise lake at Kawah Putih in West Java, Indonesia (Photo: Unsplash / Maneesh Shahani) Located approximately 50 kilometres south of Bandung, Kawah Putih is a volcanic crater lake whose unique, shifting hue is a main draw. Depending on the weather and sulphur concentration, mist could curl over turquoise waters one day, pale jade the next. Go early, when the crowds haven't arrived, to get the best photos or simply seize some contemplative quiet, humbled by the earth's power and beauty. Saung Angklung Udjo A well-known hub for culture and arts, Saung Angklung Udjo is best known for staging concerts with local perfomers playing traditional bamboo instruments ( angklung ). Beyond the show, opt for a private or small-group angklung workshop allows for an authentic, educational experience into Sundanese music traditions, often with master musicians guiding you. See also: The beauty of order in abstraction: National Gallery Singapore mounts its first-ever solo exhibition dedicated to Fernando Zóbel NuArt Sculpture Park Founded by Bali-born sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, this vast creative complex is set in a lush enclave and offers a deeper understanding of modern Indonesian art. It consists of gardens, a museum, a gallery open to other exhibiting artists, the well-lit Laxmi Resto, spiritual areas, a craft boutique, amphitheater, an audio visual room, plus the workshop where Nuarta himself produces his larger-than-life sculptures. You can also anticipate talks, workshops and classes held here. Selasar Sunaryo Art Space Another must-visit for creative souls—this space features rotating exhibitions and a curated layout perfect for thoughtful conversations. Even if you don't know much about Indonesian contemporary art, Selasar gives you room to feel something. The little café overlooking the valley is one of the most peaceful spots in Bandung to sit with a cup of kopi tubruk and a notebook. Artists come and go, sometimes willing to share stories if you ask with curiosity. Kawasan Punclut Wake up early and head to Punclut for panoramic vistas and a scenic walk along forested trails, and hopefully you'll wind up enjoying a traditional Sundanese brunch at a cafe or a rustic warung serving steaming nasi timbel, fried tempeh and sambal that will leave your lips tingling. Reward your morning rise with honest, good food—locally sourced, prepared slowly and eaten communally—best eaten with your hands. For a touch of romance and whimsy, stop by Dago Bakery Punclut, a café-restaurant designed like a classic European castle. The menu features a delightful mix of Indonesian and Western dishes, complemented by a selection of pastries from the renowned Gloria Cakes & Tarts. Braga's hidden corners Above A preserve colonial building on Braga Street (Photo: Unsplash / Fendy Pradana) Tourists flock to the famous Braga Street for its preserved 19th-century buildings, chic boutiques and charming restaurants, but there's more that lie behind the colonial façades. Seek out the quieter studios, bookstores, jazz bars and antique shops, with layers of history lingering in every timeworn corner. More from Tatler: A cultural wanderer's guide to Macau, where East meets West on cobbled streets The Bandung coffee trail Above Inside a cosy café in Bandung (Photo: Unsplash / Matiinu Ramadhan) Bandung is a coffee country—and not just any coffee. Highland beans from Ciwidey, Lembang and Malabar are known for their complexity and story. One of the most fulfilling things you can do here is to visit a local coffee farm (some offer slow tours by appointment) and see how beans are picked and processed with care. Then, of course, sit down for a tasting with the grower. Back in the city, seek out cafés like Kopi Toko Djawa or Two Hands Full, where baristas treat each pour-over like a small ritual—a reason to linger. NOW READ The ultimate bucket list for discerning coffee lovers: 9 best travel destinations to visit Love in paradise: 6 romantic resorts in Bali for an unforgettable escape The fashion lover's guide to Tokyo
Malaysiakini
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Will politicians listen to Agong's good advice?
YOURSAY | 'PKR, known for infighting, also spreading 'virus' (of division).' Agong warns against too many parties, factions Mario T: This is good advice from our Agong, but will the politicians put service to the rakyat above money or power? I am afraid not. The avaricious craving for money by whatever means will continue to plague the nation like an incurable disease. Once you have let loose a bull, it is going to be almost impossible to catch it and place it under reins. Corruption in every stratum of society has reached a point of no return. What is presently being investigated by the MACC or police and prosecuted is just a small visible tip of an iceberg. Traveloka Winning: This is a timely reminder for PKR because PKR is always the source of infighting. Not only is it known for infighting, but it also spreads the 'virus' (of division) to virtually everyone. This 'virus' has resulted in our winning PAS splitting, leading to the formation of Amanah, then Umno splitting further into Bersatu, and Bersatu splitting into Muda and Pejuang. Worse still, PKR continues to generate infighting among the various factions in the party. I am not even talking about factions within the party that everyone knows about. I'm talking about how Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, poached Senator Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to join PKR. This is humiliating for Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, creating tension in the (dis)unity government. To rehabilitate the political landscape, PKR and specifically Anwar's dynasty (his wife, former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah) must be forever barred from participating in elections. Only then can our country hope to have unity. Mazhilamani: The most divided community appears to be just one. The way it keeps creating new parties, it is only a matter of time before each state will have its own party or parties broken down to Jati Malays, Javanese, Acehnese, Sundanese, Banjarese, Minangkabau, Bugis, among others. Eventually, the majority Malay group will attempt to lead the country with the minority brought under their mercy. Malayans of different races started as equals, but after 68 years, see how divided we have become and with some communities treated as minorities. It is now the responsibility of the Registrar of Societies to ensure that the registration and approval of race-based parties are immediately rejected, including applications from the Chinese and Indian communities. Please take the advice of the Agong, his concern may become a reality. IndigoTrout2522: In a democracy, people are free to vote for any candidates or political parties. If politicians or parties lose the trust and confidence of the voters and therefore their votes, they won't survive politically. Evidence has shown that once powerful or popular politicians, as well as political parties, have become irrelevant when voters lose confidence in them, regardless of whether they are old or new parties. The voters will decide, come the 16th general election. WhitePony9855: Daulat Tuanku, thank you for the timely reminder, but knowing our politicians, they won't listen. The 3Rs (race, religion and royalty) are the main divisive subjects played up by most politicians. Some of them seemed to be insulated against our laws. They play up the 3R, yet the authorities won't act against them. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Irish Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Patrick Freyne on Africa's forgotten war
Chad now hosts 1.3 million forcibly displaced people, according to the UNHCR, despite itself being one of the world's poorest countries. More than half of these refugees are Sudanese, mostly women and children, who have fled the fighting between rival militaries which erupted in April 2023. It has been called 'the forgotten war' because of the lack of media coverage and global attention particularly on the plight of the refugees who live in sprawling refugee camps. The reasons why so few journalists have gone to the African country to report on the war and the massive displacement of Sundanese people include the difficulty in getting there and safety issues. Two Irish Times journalists, writer Patrick Freyne and videographer Chris Maddaloni, travelled to East Chad in April to report from the refugee camps there. READ MORE Their trip was supported by the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. They tell In the News about what they saw and heard and explore why the world has turned its back on this war. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
The National
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Khartoum: Directors of Sundance film want the world to see what's happening in Sudan
'It's not just a sad story from Africa. It's not a reportage for CNN and the BBC. It's real people with real dreams, with real hopes, that live in the most current of situations.' Speaking over Zoom with his fellow directors, Sudanese filmmaker Timeea Ahmed is explaining the essence of Khartoum, a unique collective documentary project, which is premiering at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Monday. Following the lives of five citizens of the Sundanese capital, Khartoum began very differently. In 2021, making a film for UK newspaper The Guardian, British filmmaker Phil Cox encountered an organisation called the Sudan Film Factory. 'There was a new generation of Sudanese filmmakers with talent, ideas, energy,' explains Cox. 'But they had no access to tech, no access to materials.' Cox formulated a plan to work with the Sudan Film Factory, with selected filmmakers asked to create 'non-narrative cinematic poems' dedicated to Khartoum, shooting material on their iPhones. Ahmed began filming Jawad, a Resistance Committee Volunteer. Fellow director Rawia Alhag filmed Lokain and Wilson, youngsters who collect plastic bottles for cash; Anas Saeed shot Khadmallah, a mother-of-one and tea stall owner; and Brahim Snoopy filmed civil servant and pigeon enthusiast Majdi. Then, in April 2023, a civil war broke out in Sudan as the Rapid Support Force militia fought against the government led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. 'Everything was lost,' sighs Cox, who was overseeing the project. Escaping to Kenya, the filmmakers joined the 10 million displaced Sundanese residents who lost their homes during the conflict. But despite being uncertain where the subjects of their films now were, they refused to give up. 'The idea of continuing became an act of resistance,' says Cox. 'It became an act of affirmation of survival. As filmmakers, we don't know if this film will succeed or not, but it can be a document. It can be something that is active for them to do, in their way, to fight back.' Naturally, the tone of the film changed. 'You can't be living in war conditions without touching on that,' reasons Snoopy. Months later, the filmmakers regrouped with the participants, initially getting them into therapy sessions. 'Because someone seeing lot of dead bodies, a lot of atrocities in front of them on a daily basis, will impact them on a longer term,' says Snoopy. With everyone gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, the directors began the second phase of filmmaking – one that helped turn Khartoum into a highly unusual documentary. As Khadmallah, Majdi and the others began to reflect on the terrible experiences they'd been through, the filmmakers took a left-field tack. Unable to film in Khartoum, they shot the participants in front of a green screen, an ideal solution to get them to tell their harrowing survival stories. 'We had to find a way to tell our participants' stories in a creative way, where we let the audience experience what they've experienced during war,' says Snoopy. Often, each subject would 'act' in another's story, in what became something akin to experimental theatre. 'Of course, war affects everyone on so many levels,' adds Saeed. 'And this staged re-enactment also played a huge role in healing all of us. It wasn't easy on all of us. Some of us really became emotional during that. We cried – the directors and participants – because it's not easy.' While the filmmakers and their subjects escaped, they're in constant contact with those still in Sudan. Alhag notes that in Khartoum, there is a group called the RC – the Resistance Community – to help people find food. 'Even outside of Khartoum, people are doing these kind of initiatives,' she says. 'We are still connected to Khartoum. We are still communicating with everyone there.' With the film premiering at the Sundance festival in the World Documentary category, Khartoum's journey is all about raising awareness. Screenings are scheduled in Washington DC and New York, where the team will present the film to the US Congress and the United Nations, before taking it to the Berlin Film Festival in February. 'There's a new Sundanese cinema arriving – and you're looking at it,' says Cox. Snoopy hopes audiences will walk away with more knowledge about what's happening in Sudan, and also that they will donate via the film's website, 'But also on a smaller level, just a simple retweet, a simple share, a simple comment, would mean a lot to us, because that will show that our message is being heard and seen,' he says. Or as Saeed adds: 'We need to say, 'Don't give up'.' While it would be all too easy to present Khartoum as a dour film, the subjects all have hopes and dreams. The boys who collect bottles dream of seeing a lion one day, while Jawad is shown – via green screen – floating over Los Angeles as he heads towards Hollywood. There are more realistic dreams too. 'We still have the hope of going back,' says Alhag. 'And that's not just my dream or Anas's or Timeea's or Snoopy's. This is the whole Sudanese dream.' Khartoum premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday
