Angklung, listed by the UNESCO as an Indonesian musical instrument, has drawn the attention of many people in the world and became one of the country's cultural icons. The Embassy of Indonesia in Beijing in cooperation with the Indonesia-China Friendship Association (Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia-Tiongkok, PPIT) and supported by the Embassy of China in Jakarta, are organizing “the Biggest Angklung Performance” aimed at breaking the world record for the largest Angklung ensemble.

The performance is expected to be attended by 10,000 participants from various backgrounds, and to be held in Beijing, capital of China, on June 2, 2013. “The event will not only boost the cooperation between China and Indonesia, but will also intensify the people-to-people contact and cultural interactions between the two nations,” said Imron Cotan, Indonesian Ambassador to China, at the press conference of Angklung Performance World Record Breaking Attempt in Beijing on May 21, 2013.

The Angklung consists of two to four bamboo tubes suspended in a bamboo frame, bound with rattan cords, which is closely related to traditional customs, arts and cultural identity in Indonesia, played during ceremonies such as rice planting, harvest and circumcision.

Imron Cotan, Indonesian Ambassador to China, speaks at the press conference of Angklung Performance World Record Breaking Attempt in Beijing on May 21, 2013. [Photo by Huang Shuo / chinadaily.com.cn]