Indonesian folktale-inspired play, The Legend of Malin Kundang, entertained audiences at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, the United States, marking the first performance by the Indonesian diaspora community in Florida.

Under the direction of the Voice of Indonesians in Florida (VIDA), the performance took place on Feb. 9 and involved more than 30 actors from the US, as well as Indonesian-American expats living in Central Florida.

The Legend of Malin Kundang is based on an ancient Indonesian folktale from West Sumatra about the retribution on an ungrateful son. A poor village boy, Malin, aspires to be a sailor like his absent father to improve his mother's life.

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Malin becomes rich, marries a princess and eventually acquires his own ship. However, on a coincidental return voyage to his village years later, he refuses to recognize his elderly mother, who then curses him and turns Malin to stone.

"The Legend of Malin Kundang is not only an entertaining and easy-to-follow play, but it is also a great moral tale for children everywhere about the importance of being devoted to your parents," play director Yuni Rucki said in a statement.

In addition to the performance of the dramatic folktale, VIDA's production also featured several classic Indonesian dances and a performance of traditional musical instrument angklung.

"It was a proud moment for the Indonesian diaspora in Florida to be able to promote Indonesia in the United States in this way," said Nana Yuliana, Indonesian consul general to Houston, the nearest Indonesian representative office to Florida. (liz/kes)