A group of wayang keroncong (Portuguese-tinged pop puppeteers) from Indonesia, prominently known as Behind the Actors, has performed at the International Interactive Visual Theater Festival in Kavlinge, Sweden.

The festival on July 14 and 15 introduced modern and traditional elements of puppet theater with the goal to keep the art alive in the hearts and minds of children, teenagers and adults alike.

Antara news agency reported that the Bandung-based keroncong puppet group attracted a crowd of Swedish families as they enacted a story called Sapphire Sky. Inspired by Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King, the story portrayed values of hope, marvel, safety, equality and an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Read also: Saving cultural heritage through wayang keroncong

Even though the 30-minute performance was delivered in a blend of English and Indonesian, the children were able to engage with laughter and curiosity. "Essentially, the visual images we presented in the show is how people can truly feel and understand the nature of animals living in the circle of life," said puppet master Dede Chandra Sumirat.

Overall, the show received great feedback from children. However, Indonesian viewer Tina Mandarini Lindh said she thought the story could have been told with less violence.

Aside from the puppet show, the group also introduced an audience of mainly Swedish adults to traditional Indonesian dance. (saz/wng)