http://thejakartaglobe.com/home/busy-president-still-has-time-to-express-his-feelings-in-art/354600
January 24, 2010
Ulma Haryanto
Busy President Still Has Time 'To Express His Feelings in Art'
He may have his hands full right now with the fallout from the PT Bank Century
investigation, but President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono can still find time for
more artistic pursuits.
The president's third album, "Ku Yakin Sampai Di Sana" ("I'm Certain I'll Get
There"), was launched on Sunday afternoon at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts
complex in Central Jakarta.
"In my spare time from running the people's mandate as a president, I like to
express my feelings into works of art," he said on the album cover .
Yudhoyono, who did not attend the launch, also wrote that he hoped he could
communicate his "state of mind" to the public through his music.
The album contains nine songs, two of which are in English. All were written by
the president but performed by famous Indonesian singers. Song titles include:
"Jiwaku Terang di Malam Itu" ("My Soul's Alight That Night"); "Budi Temanku"
("My Friend Budi"); "Kuyakin Sampai Di Sana" ("I Believe I'll Be Over There");
"Untukmu Anak Manis" ("For You Sweet Child"); "Liburan Sekolah" ("School
Holiday"); "Longing My Love"; "Save Our Planet"; and "Majulah Negeriku" ("Go,
My Country").
"The songs were written from a belief that nothing can change the fate of a
country except the people itself and the conviction of a noble purpose,"
Yudhoyono said.
At the launch, famous Indonesian singers performed songs from the album,
including Indonesian Idol winners Vidi Adiano, Rio Febrian and Joy Tobing, the
vocal group Elfas Singer, country singer Tantowi Yahya and Dewi Yull.
Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Andi Mallarangeng, a former presidential
spokesman, said he was sure the album would go down well with the public.
When the president was full of inspiration, he could finish a song in a couple
of days, Andi said, adding that Yudhoyono usually had a guitar or a keyboard
nearby when he is composing a song.
"Our president is used to writing songs. Art is his life. He has this special
talent in music. Since his time in high school and in the academy he used to
play in music bands," he said.
According to Andi, the third album is more youthful than the previous two.
"But it still has the same theme as the previous albums on loving your country,
loving each other, humanity, and encouraging songs."
Yudhoyono launched his first album - "Rinduku Padamu" ("I Miss You") - in
October 2007. He followed this up with "Evolusi" ("Evolution") in January 2009.
Additional reporting from Antara
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