Gema Rasa Foundation: Transformation into Tradition

The Gema Rasa Foundation was born out of an unexpected change, an accident that turned out to be an opportunity for reflection and innovation. Founded in late summer 2023, the foundation reflects overcoming old patterns and limiting beliefs. It started with a meeting on October 14, which highlighted a shared vision for preserving and flourishing Javanese culture and art, aimed at connecting Javanese people worldwide.

On October 20, the vision took shape and a name, with a board ready to lead this mission. Eight days later, the name and governance structure were confirmed, including space for supervisory directors. The official registration with the Chamber of Commerce on 17 January 2024 marked the legal birth and start of a cultural movement that transcends old borders.

Gema Rasa, with her gamelan group Jiwa Manunggal, now symbolises a community that transforms misfortune into happiness and barriers into cultural richness, an echo of Javanese traditions that reverberate with renewed vigor.

The Gema Rasa Foundation

The Gema Rasa Foundation is a cultural organization that promotes Javanese music and dance. With passion and dedication, we bring Java's rich traditions to a wide audience

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Gema

Literally translated, “gema” means “echo” in Javanese and Indonesian. In the context of the foundation, this word symbolises the resonance of Javanese culture and traditions that resonate through the generations. It stands for transmitting and letting these traditions resonate in the hearts and souls of young Javanese and communities around the world. Just like an echo spreads and amplifies when it is reflected, the foundation wants to not only preserve the rich traditions of Javanese dance and gamelan music, but also make them resonate and strengthen within and outside the community.

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Rasa

‍“Rasa” can be translated as “feeling”, “taste”, or “essence” in Javanese and Indonesian. It refers to the deep emotional connection and feeling one gets when practicing and experiencing Javanese dance and music. It also stands for the inner feeling and self-awareness that people develop by connecting to these traditions. In the context of your vision and mission, “rasa” stands for the deep sense of belonging, respect and mutual enrichment that the foundation wants to promote. It's about experiencing the true essence of Javanese culture and traditions, and how they can serve as bridges for personal growth, healing, and community building.

Metaphorical interpretation

The metaphorical meaning of “Gema Rasa Foundation” can be expressed in a beautiful and profound way:

1. Gema as the Echo of Time:

The Gema Rasa Foundation acts as a timeless echo that reverberates through the ages. Like an echo travels through the valleys and mountains, the sounds of Javanese culture and traditions travel across generations, borders, and cultures. The foundation is a symbol of this ceaseless resonance - a powerful, continuing reminder of the richness and vitality of Javanese culture. - This echo is not just a repetition of the past; it is a vibrant, dynamic force that is constantly evolving and adapting, finding resonance in new hearts and communities. It reflects the continuity and the unbreakable connection between past, present and future.

‍2. Rasa as the Essence of Experience:

“Rasa” in the name of the foundation is like the taste of life, the essence experienced in the most authentic moments of human expression. It's about the deeper feeling that comes when you immerse yourself in Javanese dance and music, a feeling that transcends the limits of the everyday. - This “rasa” is more than emotion; it is a path to self-awareness and inner harmony. It is the bridge that connects individuals to their roots, encouraging them to explore and understand themselves through the mirror of Javanese culture. It is a path to healing, to understanding the universal human experience through the unique lens of Javanese traditions.

The confluence of Gema Rasa

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Gema Rasa

The Gema Rasa Foundation is where these two powerful concepts come together — the echo (Gema) that spreads the timeless beauty and wisdom of Javanese culture, and the essence (Rasa) that encompasses the deep, personal experience of this culture. It's a place where traditions aren't the dusty remnants of the past, but living, breathing entities that connect, enrich, and transform people. It is a stage where each echo takes on a new meaning and each experience reveals a deeper layer of self-awareness and community belonging. In this metaphorical sense, the Gema Rasa Foundation is not only a keeper of culture, but also a facilitator of cultural dialogue, personal growth and collective harmony.

Vision

A world where the rich traditions of Javanese performing arts - including traditional dance, gamelan music and wajang - are not only preserved, but also serve as powerful bridges for personal growth, self-awareness and healing of historical wounds. We see a future where these ancient art forms form a unifying thread that brings together Javanese people from Suriname, the Netherlands, and Indonesia, creating a community founded in shared cultural richness and mutual understanding.

Mission

Our mission is to promote the Javanese performing arts, both from Indonesia and Javanese-Surinamese, as a means of connecting individuals to their inner selves and each other, no matter where they are in the world. By cherishing and sharing these cultural traditions, we aim to guide people in their personal development, help them break old patterns and become aware of their true potential. We are committed to building bridges between the Javanese communities in Suriname, the Netherlands, and Indonesia, promoting healing and understanding in light of our shared colonial past and the diverse paths our communities have taken. Through education, implementation and cultural exchange, we work to create a space of connection, respect and mutual enrichment.

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Events we support

Events where our gamelan group Jiwa Manunggal performs or that help spread the Javanese Culture.

Ramayana Epos
ABC Evenement
Dewi Sri
Dans, gamelan & ceremonie
Besloten optreden - Familie Reunie
Seminar Gamelan Bouwkunst
Echo's van Java: Verweven verhalen uit 3 continenten
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The Foundation

The Gema Rasa Foundation is a cultural organization that promotes Javanese music and dance. With passion and dedication, we bring Java's rich traditions to a wide audience.

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Our contact details

info@stichtinggemarasa.com

+31 (0) 615045418

Aan de Botersloot 2, Ammerstol - Netherlands

KVK: 92665381

VAT: NL866133197B01

© Gema Rasa Foundation. All Rights Reserved 2024.
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