This year, Polewali Mandar International Folk and Arts Festival was back again for the third time from 1st to 6th of August 2018. There were six participating countries include Mexico, Poland, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, and Latvia. Just like last year, the Opening Ceremony was held at H.S. Mengga Stadium Sport Center with parade by the participating countries, and also local groups that were also taking part in the festival. The festival was attended by lines of VIPs, include, the Governor of West Sulawesi, Ali Baal Masdar, Police Chief of West Sulawesi, Brigadier General Baharudin Djafar, Representative of Tourism Office, Aprida Pelitasari, Regent of Polewali Mandar, H. Andi Ibrahim Masdar, and more.



All delegates was Traditional Sulawesi food was served during the welcoming dinner, which the delegates commented on positively. One of the participant from Mexico said that he really liked the food because it was very flavourful and spicy, just like Mexican food. During the dinner, the Regent also sang several songs, and for the surprise, the Croatian delegates sang Lita’ Pembolongan song from Mandar. The dinner was ended with poco-poco dance together with the participants.

For the daily program, the first three days always started with workshops at schools and universities. There were two venues of workshop each day, so the participating countries were divided into groups of three for each school. All of the students participating in the workshop were enthusiastic and very happy to learn about new culture and tradition. The highlight of each workshop was when the students got the chance to try dancing together with the delegates. Learning and interacting with the delegates was a rare chance for the students, and they made sure to make the most of the opportunity.





Performances were done everyday at the main stage, and also in some regions for street performances. This time, the street performances were held in three districts which were Campalagian, Binuang, and Majene, and also at the main square of Polewali Mandar. Each of the performances always received positive attention from the audience, and the people were very appreciative.




For recreational time, the participants got the opportunity to visit Palippis beach. They were introduced with traditional games and had a little competition between participating countries to won a prize. Apart from traditional games, they also enjoyed the beach, taking photos, sunbathing, and also swimming. To give the participants the feel of Polewali Mandar tradition and custom, the committee gave sarong to the female delegates to cover up their swimming suit.




On the last day, the delegates went to Lapeo beach for the releasing of baby turtles and planting mangrove trees. The unique activity left a great impression from the delegates, some of them mentioned that releasing the baby turtles was their favorite part of the program. The closing ceremony was first started with performances by all of the participating countries and some local groups. By the end of the event, the Regent of Polewali Mandar gave a speech recapping the moments during the event, appreciation towards the participating countries, and hoped that the delegates would come back someday in the future to visit Polewali Mandar.


Written by : Gayatri Larasati
Editted & Published by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

This year, Gandrung Dance Studio had a chance to be the representative of Indonesia to The 2nd Pyesta Kolon Datal Koronadal International Folklore Festival 2018 Koronadal, Philippines. The festival was held from 11 – 18 August 2018. Before went to the festival, the group had 5 months of practices and preparation, it started since March 2018. After such a long of preparation, the group ready with 11 dances; Indonesia Menari (2017) Dance, Kembang Jakarta, Renggong Manis, Tor-Tor Tandok Dance, Cendrawasih Dance, Lengger Dance, Kembang Ronggeng Dance, Mojang Priangan Dance, Sancang Gugat Dance, Gaplek Dance, and Bajidor Dance.

The group had a practice once a week in 2 hours. But then, started on July 2018 until the last practice, they had an intensive practices, spent 2 – 4 hours per day. In order before went to the festival, they had an inauguration to show what they had been practice for month. The inauguration was held on 31 July 2018 at Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Grand Indonesia Mall. They showed some dances in the inauguration.

People who came to the inauguration was the family and friends from each dancers of Gandrung Studio Dance group, the dance coaches, and of course from CIOFF Indonesia. Just like any other inauguration was also filled with speeches from CIOFF Indonesia

Overall, the group had shows us such a great performances. Means, they are ready to show the beauty of Indonesia in Philippines. Let’s give them the best of luck!

Tortor Tandok is a traditional Batak dance expressing the rice farming culture in North Sumatra. The dance tells about rice harvesting using Tandok, a container made of weaves of bamboo to place the rice, by the women in the field. Besides that, the dance itself shows important values in kinship between communities. The dancers wore the Tandok on top their head, and traditional Batak clothes which consist of Ulos and Sarung with traditional motifs.
 

Last July, CIOFF Indonesia is back in cooperation with Galeri Indonesia Kaya for Tortor Tandok Dance workshop. There were seventeen people participating in the workshop, which later on thirteen of them performed the dance at the end of the workshop program. The workshop lasted from 23-27 July divided into two sessions a day, with the performance held on 28 July.

Four days in preparation for the dance was not easy, with only minimum time to practice, the participants were very enthusiastic and eager to learn. All of the participants were very excited about the workshop, and overall very happy with the program. It was a unique opportunity for them to learn a traditional dance and had it performed by the end of the workshop. Not just the dance movement itself, they also got to learn more about the background story behind the inspiration for the dance.

On June 25th - June 29th 2018, Galeri Indonesia Kaya in collaboration with CIOFF Indonesia was held a dance workshop. This workshop were free and no age limit so everyone can join this workshop. The material is Lenggang Jakarta dance from Betawi for it was the theme of the month.

Lenggang Jakarta is a dance created by Fitria Sawfini. The dance tells about None Jakarta ( Miss Jakarta ) from Betawi who is a schoolgirl but has to work since a child for the sake of her family. Now, she has a succesfull and a happy life with their family because of her persistence.

There were 10 participants who  joined this workshop. Eventough they had to do 5 days rehearsal, they were very excited and never give up to learn. The workshop are divided into two session, the first session on 4:00 - 6:00 PM, and the second session on 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

After 5 days rehearsal, they had to perform their ability in front of many people. The auditorium were full with their family, friends, and relations. The show started at 3.00 PM. Gratefully, they perform well as they had never ending applause by the audience. 

 The participants said that it was a great workshop because they can be more confident to dance traditional dance. “The coach teaches us to be more discipline and learn the process not the result,” said the participant. From this workshop, we hope that there will be more people, especially teenager to know Indonesian traditional dances.

Written by : Dinda Dyandri Dhaneswara

Editted and Published by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

CIOFF® Indonesia wishes you happy Eid al-Fitr 1439 H!

May this month of forgiveness brings an everlasting peace to you and your family. 🙏🏼✨

#CIOFF #CIOFF_Indonesia #SHARECULTURE

Wira Putri Dance – A dance that portrays and symbolizes the strength and masculinity of women as they are identical to movements that are contradictory to those of men. The dance routine explores gallant moves which deliver the idea that women are tough behind all their delicacies.

The inspiration for this dance is based on the work of Bagong Kusudiardja, a Central Javanese dance called the Wira Pertiwi dance which is the dance of the women soldiers of Java.

Last April, CIOFF Indonesia was back collaboration with Galeri Indonesia Kaya to organize a workshop. The Wira Putri dance is the material for the workshop. It was held for five days, from the 23 – 27 April 2018, with the final performance was held on Sunday, 29 April 2018.

There were fifteen participants that took part in the workshop. Like previous workshops, the rehearsal was divided into two sessions each day. The first session was held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, and the second session was held from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

During rehearsals, the background story of Wira Putri dance was told to the participants so that they can get into it more. The participants were consistent and showed discipline throughout the workshop. They attended each session up until the day of their final performance.

Wira Putri dance is no easy dance. However, the participants were able to memorize and understand the dance with only five days of rehearsing, two hours each day. They were also able to arrange the blocking for their final performance.

After five days of rehearsing, they performed the dance on Sunday, April 29th 2018 for the opening of Galeri Indonesia Kaya’s event. The participants danced beautifully and in sync, and they received great appreciation from the audience afterwards.

 

Overall, the performance went well. The participants were pleased with their performance as well as the workshop. All the participants’ hard work has been paid off. Congratulations!

Written by : Ayasha Salmadhia

Editted and Published by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

This April 2018, Indonesia sent their delegation from Al Azhar 1 Junior High School to participate in 13th Pendik International Children’s Festival. There were 26 students from Al Azhar 1 and other 11 countries who participated the festival that was held on 16 – 24 April 2018 in Pendik, Turkey. This group brought 5 dances that they had prepared which are Yapong and Greget Jawara from DKI Jakarta,  Tor-Tor from Batak tribe in North Sumatra, Enggang and Balian from Borneo, and Saman from Aceh province, Sumatra. 

A few days before going to the festival, they held an inauguration to showed their parents what they had been practicing for the last three months. All the dances and musical instrument for Greget Jawara, Enggang and Balian, Yapong, and Tor-tor were performed really well in this inauguration.

At the end of the inauguration, the students surprised their parents by giving them flower as a symbol of love and gratitude to their parents. All the best luck for Al-Azhar 1 JHS!

Written by : Dinda Dyandri Dhaneswara

Editted and Published by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

This year, SMPN 11 Jakarta will embark on a cultural mission to Buyukcekmece, Turkey to participate in 9th International Gokcan College Children’s Folk Dance Festival from 15 - 24 April 2018. After 2 months of preparations, they are ready to go to the festival, bringing 5 dances which are Tokecang dance from West Java, Nandak Ganjen dance from Betawi, Enggang and Balian medley dance from Borneo, and also Saman dance from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam along with 1 contemporary music.

The students have been preparing for the festival since February and spent 10 hours per week to rehearse. In order to showcase what they had been practicing, the students had an inauguration where they performed Tokecang dance, Nandak Ganjen dance, Enggang and Balian medley dance, and contemporary music in front of their parents and government delegations.

The inauguration were also filled with some speeches from CIOFF Indonesia’s President, Mr. Said Rachmat sharing about what the students going to face in the festival and how they have been rehearsing for the past two months until they are ready to go to the festival. Besides that, there were also speeches from SMPN 11 Vice Principal Mrs. Eni Masfufah and a representative from Jakarta’s Education Office, Mr. Boniran. 

The inauguration day ended with a surprise from the students. They were giving out a rose for their parents as form of gratitude for their endless support towards them. The moment was quite emotional and the surprise was a success.

The students put up a great performance, showing that they are ready for the upcoming event where they will meet other teams from different countries. Let’s wish them all the luck in showing the world the beauty of Indonesia.

This year, SMPN 11 Jakarta will embark on a cultural mission to Buyukcekmece, Turkey to participate in 9th International Gokcan College Children’s Folk Dance Festival from 15 - 24 April 2018. After 2 months of preparations, they are ready to go to the festival, bringing 5 dances which are Tokecang dance from West Java, Nandak Ganjen dance from Betawi, Enggang and Balian medley dance from Borneo, and also Saman dance from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam along with 1 contemporary music.

The students have been preparing for the festival since February and spent 10 hours per week to rehearse. In order to showcase what they had been practicing, the students had an inauguration where they performed Tokecang dance, Nandak Ganjen dance, Enggang and Balian medley dance, and contemporary music in front of their parents and government delegations.

The inauguration were also filled with some speeches from CIOFF Indonesia’s President, Mr. Said Rachmat sharing about what the students going to face in the festival and how they have been rehearsing for the past two months until they are ready to go to the festival. Besides that, there were also speeches from SMPN 11 Vice Principal Mrs. Eni Masfufah and a representative from Jakarta’s Education Office, Mr. Boniran. 

The inauguration day ended with a surprise from the students. They were giving out a rose for their parents as form of gratitude for their endless support towards them. The moment was quite emotional and the surprise was a success.

The students put up a great performance, showing that they are ready for the upcoming event where they will meet other teams from different countries. Let’s wish them all the luck in showing the world the beauty of Indonesia.

Written by : Gayatri Larasati

Editted and Published by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

2017 has ended, time for a new beginning! New year, new journey awaits ✨

CIOFF® Indonesia wishes you a Happy New Year! 

Hopefully in 2018, happiness and success awaits🙏🏼🙏🏼

#CIOFF #CIOFF_Indonesia #SHARECULTURE #HappyNewYear

- CIOFF® Indonesia -

It's that time of the year again! 

Where the bells ring, the presents wrapped, and trees decorated 🎄✨
CIOFF® Indonesia wishes you a merry jolly christmas! 

Hopefully this christmas brings you joy 🙏🏼🙏🏼

#CIOFF #CIOFF_Indonesia #SHARECULTURE #MerryChristmas

- CIOFF® Indonesia -