Committee on Culture and Information

DURING THE YEAR under review, the central concern of the Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) was to develop a "basic framework of cooperation in culture and information" to enable COCI to streamline, coordinate and programme its wide range of projects and activities.

Earlier, COCI projects were worked out along seven programme areas: (a) exchange of persons and fellowships; (b) Southeast Asian studies; (c) performances, exhibitions and related cultural activities; (d) documentation, preparation, production and distribution of Southeast Asian print and audio visual materials; (e) conferences, seminars, symposia, and workshops; (f) institutions and networks; (g) awards, prizes and recognitions.

Under this procedure, COCI faced programming difficulties due to the apparent overlap of programme areas and lack of clear focal points to coordinate projects.

Thus, in its Fifth Meeting held in Manila on 30 November to 2 December 1981, COCI recommended the following programme areas for its cultural cooperation programme: (A) Visual Arts; (B) Performing Arts; (C) Literary Works; (D) ASEAN Studies; and (E) Communication Media. Information, in particular the role of the mass media shall be integrated in the planning and implementation of all projects under these five programme areas.

1981 Cultural and information Projects

Highlights of some of the major projects accomplished are as follows:

ASEAN Travelling Exhibition of Photographs and Paintings. Over a hundred paintings and photographs from the member countries were displayed around the region from June to December 1981. The objectives of the project are: to provide a basis of comparative study on current trends and developments in the visual arts, to promote regional consciousness among artists and the public throughout, and to provide a glimpse of the life and landscape of ASEAN countries.

Preservation of Traditional Cultural Technology. A workshop on the manufacture of the Indonesia gamelan instrument was held in central Java, Indonesia on March 26 to April 1, 1981. The workshop included lectures by gamelan experts. Javanese puppet shows, dances and songs. The aim of this project is to study the technology of traditional bronze musical instruments and to disseminate the results of the study among member countries.

ASEAN Sculpture Symposium. With the aim of promoting a sense of community among sculptors of member countries whose works of art will be visible symbols of regional cooperation, COCI held its first symposium in Singapore from March 27 to May 10, 1981. Five distinguished sculptors from the member countries worked under one roof where they discussed, shared and learned from one another to produce a group of five magnificent five-meter tall sculptures displayed at Singapore's Fort Canning Park. The Indonesian sculptor contributed a copper plate sculpture called "Unity"; Malaysia, a fibreglass work called "Taning Sari", the Philippines, a reinforced concrete cast of an unfinished boat called "Fredesvinda"; Thailand, steel plates combination called "Concentration" and Singapore, a rising balance of circular and cylindrical shapes called "Balance". The entire symposium has been documented on film by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.

Conference on ASEAN Literatures. To gain a deeper understanding of the literary traditions and conventions in ASEAN and how they are affecting ASEAN writers in modern times, COCI organized a conference on ASEAN literatures where distinguished writers from member countries discussed the following: ASEAN poetry - which is found to have relative similarity in traditional literary forms; ASEAN fiction - on its general development, literary commitment, themes, periods, ideals; ASEAN drama; and literary criticism. The Conference was held in Manila on June 24-26, 1981.

Exchange of Radio and Television Artistes Programme. Twenty-five radio and television personalities from the member countries convened in Jakarta on June 26-27, 1981 for a performance attended by Indonesian Government Ministers and officials, the diplomatic corps, and ASEAN nationals in Jakarta. The show was also televised by TVRI, the television network of Indonesia.

Exchange of Radio and Television Cultural Packages. The activities undertaken in 1981 are: (a) exchange of six 30-minute radio programmes, three on traditional music and folksongs, and three programmes on legends and folktales (with sound and musical illustrations); and (b) exchange of two television 30-minute programme packages consisting of cultural dancers and documentary on the visual arts.

Production of Children�s Books and Source Materials. A meeting of experts was held in Bangkok on 6-10 July 1981 during which an exhibition of books and source materials from member countries was also held. The experts discussed the inclusion of ASEAN cultural aspects in the production of children's books to promote ASEAN unity and recommended the production of pictorial materials to include books, flip charts and posters and cultural maps. The objective of the project is to promote a deep understanding of ASEAN cultures for children, and to promote cooperation among book illustrators, writers and production experts in ASEAN countries.

ASEAN Song Festival. The First ASEAN Song Festival was held on 26-31 October 1981 in Kuala Lumpur to give recognition to ASEAN's song- writers and composers. Popular singers rendered two original compositions from each ASEAN member country.

ASEAN Film Week. Four feature films were shown in four of the member countries to determine audience interest in ASEAN films. An ASEAN Film Week was held in Manila on 10-15 August 1981; in Bangkok on 16-20 September 1981; in Kuala Lumpur on 16-20 December 1981; and in Jakarta on 24-27 January 1982.

11th ASEAN Film Festival. Each ASEAN member country submitted two feature and documentary films which were shown in ten commercial theatres in Manila during the festival. One of the livelier projects of COCI, the 11 th ASEAN Film Festival also involved the participation of movie producers, directors, stars and other personalities of the cinema industry of ASEAN countries.

Publication on the Film Industries of Member Countries. The Philippines has produced a preliminary publication of the reports on the film industries in each member country, which was circulated during the 11th ASEAN Film Festival.

Listing of COCI Projects from 1980 to 1981
From 1980 to 1981, a total of 21 culture and information projects with 45 activities have been financed by the ASEAN Cultural Fund:

I. Exchange of Persons and Fellowships

Exchange of Scholars on Archeology, 1980
Officials Meeting for Improving ASEAN Communication Academic Capacity, 1981

II. Southeast Asian Studies

Talks on Radio/TV for above project, 1980
Inventory of Materials and Data for above project, 1980
Workshop on Manufacture of Brass Musical Instruments, 1981.

III. Performance, Exhibition and Related Cultural Activities

Organizers Meeting for 2nd ASEAN Performing Arts and Music, 1980
Second Festival on Performing Arts and Music, 1980
ASEAN Paintings and Photographs Exhibition, 1980
Pre-exhibition visits by Organizers for the ASEAN Travelling Exhibition of Paintings and Photographs, 1981
ASEAN Travelling Exhibition of Paintings and Photographs in five ASEAN countries, 1981
Exhibition of Photographs on ASEAN Cultural Heritage, 1980
Exhibition of Photographs on ASEAN Cultural Heritage, 1981
First Working Group Meeting on Radio/TV Exchange Programme, 1980
Second Working Group Meeting on Radio/TV Exchange Programme, 1981
Producers Meeting for Performance of ASEAN Artistes, 1982
Performance of ASEAN Artistes, 1981
Preparatory-Meeting for ASEAN Song Festival, 1981
ASEAN Song Festival, 1981
Tenth ASEAN Film Festival, 1980
ASEAN Film Week in five ASEAN Countries, 1980-1981
11th ASEAN Film Festival 1981.

IV. Documentation, Preparation, Production and Distribution

of Southeast Asian Print and Audio Visual Materials

Experts Meeting on Children Books and Source Materials, 1981
Exchange of Radio Cultural Package Programme among five ASEAN countries, 1981
Exchange of Television Cultural Package Programme among five ASEAN countries, 1981
Advisory Group Meeting on ASEAN Documentary Films, 1981
Printing of Country Report on Film Industry, 1981
Experts Meeting for Study and Use of Cultural Traditional Media, 1980
Documentation for above project in five ASEAN countries, 1980-1981.

V. Conferences, Seminars, Symposium and Workshops

Seminar on ASEAN Traditional Games and Sports, 1980
Second Organizers Meeting for 2nd ASEAN Youth Music Workshop, 1980
Third Organizers Meeting for 2nd ASEAN Youth Music Workshop, 1980
Second ASEAN Youth Music Workshop, 1980
Experts Meeting for ASEAN Cultural Symposium, 1980
ASEAN Cultural Symposium, 1981
Conference of ASEAN writers, 1981
Coordinators Meeting for the Exchange of Journalists and the Third ASEAN Mass Media, 1981

VI. Institutions and Networks

Collection of Materials, Data and Photographs for the Directory, 1980
Editorial Meeting for Publication of the Directory, 1980.

VII. Awards, Prizes and Recognitions

Preliminary Meeting of Art Administrators for Cultural Awards Project, 1981.

1982 Project

The Fifth Meeting of COCI in Manila in December 1981, recommended that the following on-going projects be undertaken annually and by rotation among member countries:

ASEAN Song Festival
ASEAN Exchange of Radio and Television Artistes
ASEAN Festival of Performing Arts
ASEAN Film Festival
Travelling Exhibition of Paintings and Photographs
ASEAN Film Week
ASEAN Sculpture Symposium
ASEAN Youth Music Workshop
ASEAN Radio and Television Cultural Exchange Programmes
Comparative Study of Folk Arts and Indigenous Architecture in ASEAN countries.

In addition to the above-mentioned on-going projects, another ten new projects shall be undertaken bringing to 20 the number of culture and information projects scheduled for implementation in 1982. The new projects are:

1. Archeological Excavation.

2. ASEAN Traditional Games and Sport. Country Coordinator: Malaysia. Objective: to follow up activities of the First Traditional Games and Sports Seminar held in Bangkok on 18-22 February 1980. The activities of this project include the following: (a) Organizers Meeting to prepare for the compilation and publication on ASEAN Traditional Games and Sports. Budget: US$6,380. (b) Compilation of existing data on the above subject. Budget: US$25,000. (c) Festival. (d) Research and exchange of information. and (e) Exchange of personnel for consultation and information dissemination.

3. Study of Basic Traditional Dances, Music, Choreography and Visual Arts. Country Coordinator: Indonesia. The objective is to study and preserve the above subject. Each member country is to organize a training programme on a selected course on its capability where two students or artistes from the other member countries shall participate. for four to six months. Budget: US$ 11,200. The first training programme is to take place in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

4. ASEAN Kinship Through Music. Country Coordinator: Philippines. The objective is to promote cultural kinship and to generate interest in the ASEAN musical heritage. The activities of this project involve the exchange of songs and musical heritage aired over radio at specific hours of the day. Budget: US$l5,000.

5. ASEAN Music Interludes. Country Coordinator: Singapore. The objective is for each country to produce a series of three to five-minute filmlets illustrating aspects of culture and exchange these among them. The activities involve the following: (a) Preparatory meeting for the organization and coordination of the project; (2) Production of filmlets featuring instrumental compositions for exchange and use as music interludes on the TV networks. The budgetary allotment for the project is US$75,000.

6. Role of Communications in the Socio-Cultural Development. Country Coordinator: Thailand. This project aims to promote the above subject and enhance cooperation among academi cians, administrators and practitioners in the area of communications, and to develop an intra-ASEAN programme for the training and research in communications. The activities of the project are: (a) Preparatory Meeting to discuss outlines of research Paper and programme of the seminar, April 1982 in Bangkok. Budget: US$4,876; (2) Preparation of research papers/reports. Budget US$ 7,500; (c) Regional Seminar on the project in Bangkok. Budget: US$30,170; (d) Finalizing the Report of the Seminar by the Coordinator. Budget: US$3,000.

7. Anthology of ASEAN Literatures. Country Coordinator: Philippines. The aim of the project is to fill the need for books on ASEAN literatures for students, teachers, and literature lovers and to provide the basis for the comparative study, and to facilitate exchange of knowledge on these literatures. Among the activities lined up for this project is the establishment of national teams to do the selection, translation, and presentation of the literary works of each member country. Budget: US$85,000.

8. ASEAN Youth Painting Workshop and Exhibition. Country Coordinator: Thailand. The project aims to further cultural understanding to promote active interest and creativeness in the arts, to provide a forum for artistic expression through paintings, and for meaningful interaction among the youth of ASEAN countries. The activities covered are: (a) Preparatory Meeting in Thailand for facilitating the coordination of the exhibition and workshop. Budget: US$10,142; (b) National Youth Painting Exhibition. Budget: US$7,700; (c) Regional Youth Painting Exhibition and Workshop where five selected youth painters will work with three masters from the host country to create works based on the techniques of the local masters. Budget: US$48,290.

9. Exchange of Museum Curators of Ethnography. Country Coordinator: Singapore. The aims of this project are: to encourage the ASEAN countries to represent significant artifacts in their national ethnological collections and to provide wider exposure and greater appreciation of the traditional material culture of the. region; and to have a deeper understanding of the ethnology of the ASEAN countries for a more purposeful cooperation of mutual benefit in the field of ethnology. Activities include visits of museum directors from each member country to give talks and lecture-demonstrations and promote. a better understanding of their history and cultures. Budget: US$20,750.

10. Training for Radio/TV Brodcasters in the Production of Cultural Programmes. Country Coordinator: Malaysia. The objectives are: to look into ways in which radio and television can contribute to the preservation of culture; and to improve basic skills of radio and television production by utilizing existing technology so as to provide the greatest exposure possible to the cultural art forms indigenous to the region. The activities are the following: six-week television course for two fairly experienced programme producers/directors from each member country in production technique, field research, scripting and music balancing. Budget is US$92,554. In 1983, a three-week radio course for a production team comprising a producers an audio technician in the same fields of study shall be held. The budget is placed at US$41,635.