As the highlight of the series of events, the arts and culture performance on stage is held from 17:00 to 19:30.

Some months before Malam Indonesia’s date was officially announced, I bought tickets to watch the performance arts and culture because I wanted to take a good break from my research. But, that was not the only reason I bought the ticket. Being experienced in two prior Malam Indonesia events as a performer and MC, I was not be able to fully enjoy the show. So, this time I was so excited to attend it and enjoy it as a pure audience, to the fullest!

And… I was not disappointed at all! In my opinion, despite limited experience in holding a bazaar, the Malam Indonesia 2023 committee was extremely success to showcase a spectacular diversity of Indonesian culture through this performance!

This arts and culture show’s theme was “Yukata Tells a Story: The Tale of Fabric in Another Land”. The performance narrates the story of a Japanese girl named Mimi and her friend from Indonesia named Faiz. Together, they travel around Indonesia to get to know its culture better.

(Mimi from Japan and Faiz from Indonesia exploring the cultural diversity of Indonesia.)

Along the way, they witness various traditional dances and performances such as the Indonesian martial art PENCAK SILAT, the ANGKLUNG performance (a musical instrument made of bamboo tubes), BALI dance, RATOH JAROE dance, and BAJIDOR dance from West Java. At the end of the performance, we are introduced to traditional fabric from Tidore, North Maluku, through a beautiful fashion show.

(Pencak Silat or Indonesian martial art)

(Angklung / bamboo tubes instrument performance)

(Bali Dances)

(Closing of the Traditional Fabric Fashion Show from Tidore, North Maluku)

Among performances, my favorite was the Ratoh Jaroe, a welcome dance from Aceh province. The dance was performed by students from Ritsumeikan University of Shiga campus. No other words that could explain the performance, it was splendid and stunning! The lighting and background music made the visual even more crazy!

(Ratoh Jaroe dance from Aceh)

In Malam Indonesia 2013, I was a performer. Along with my friends, I also performed a dance from Aceh province named “Likok Pulo” dance. The basic movements of the dance was quite similar to ratoh jaroe dance. For me personally, the training was intense and pretty much full of pressure. So, watching students from Shiga performing the dance was very nostalgic for me!

Going home from a cultural festival of your country in Japan is often filled with satisfaction. That night, I was able to enjoy some delicious Indonesian snacks, and happily watch an exquisite cultural performance.

Well I guess, for the time being my “homesickness” was cured!

In the next two years, I will be expecting much more joy and excitement (and also delicious Indonesian food) in Malam Indonesia. See you there!

Source:

①Malam Indonesia 2023: https://ppikyotoshiga.com/malamindonesia2023/

②Photo Documentation of Panitia Malam Indonesia 2023

(Text: Dhini, Ritsumeikan University)