YOGYAKARTA (indo.com): Travellers to Yogyakarta, Central Java, will have the opportunity to view dozens of masks of differing characters when artists from 25 countries present their creations in the International Mask Exhibition and Conference. The exhibition will be held at the Sonobudoyo Museum from October 27 to November 10, 2001.

Masks are universally known as symbols and expressions of human character and civilization. The exhibition, with the theme "Masks, The Other Faces of Humanity", will include exhibits from countries including the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, France, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, the United States, South Africa, Iran, India, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Korea and Indonesia as a host.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buono IX is scheduled to open the exhibition.

The committee has so far accepted at least 200 masks sent by participating countries for the forthcoming exhibition. Every participating country will present masks with styles ranging from traditional to modern and contemporary. "Masks from each respective country have their own characteristics and uniqueness," the exhibition president I Made Bandem said.

In Indonesia, mask works can be found throughout the country, with each village, town, province and island having its own characteristics. Numerous performances and dances have employed masks to represent differing aspects of human character. As unique craft works, masks have received much attention over the years, but much has yet to be discovered about the social, cultural and religious aspects of these items. The exhibition will help participating countries and visitors understand more about this fascinating area.