Indonesia Dances Again Presented, Invites People To 'DANCE At Malls' Simultaneously In 11 Cities

Indonesian Press Conference Dances 2025 (doc. Indonesia Kaya)

JAKARTA - The grand event that embraced the wealth of traditional dances in the archipelago, Indonesia Danced, was finally held again after a long absence since it last rolled virtually in 2021.

Initiated by Indonesia Kaya since 2012, this event has consistently presented a traditional and modern joint dance movement, with the main mission of sparking public closeness to the nation's dance heritage.

The 10th edition of Indonesia Dancing is scheduled to take place simultaneously in 11 cities in Indonesia on October 12, 2025.

"Seeing the great enthusiasm of the community, we are proud to bring back Indonesia Dancing after several years of vacuum, coinciding with the celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Kaya Indonesia Gallery," said Billy Gamaliel, Program Manager of Indonesia Kaya, at a press conference in Thamrin, Central Jakarta on Tuesday, September 30.

Billy added that this year's implementation is a form of appreciation for art actors who are working hard to keep Indonesian dance alive.

"In this 10th event, Indonesia's 2025 dance was held simultaneously in 11 cities and involved dance maestros, cross-generational choreographers, as well as art activists from various regions as a form of appreciation for those who continue to maintain Indonesian dance arts," added Billy.

Carrying out the smart #DancingindiMall campaign, Indonesia Dancing 2025 will take locations in shopping centers spread across 11 cities. Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Medan, Makassar, and Palembang are subscription cities, plus five new cities that have just enlivened, namely Surabaya, Balikpapan, Manado, Bekasi, and Karawang.

The concept is also made inclusive. Professional or amateur danceers, across ages, are all allowed to participate as long as they are able to participate in the predetermined choreography.

"Through a fresh, inclusive concept, with a contemporary touch of rhythm, movement, and costume, Indonesia's 2025 dance invites active participation from various circles and proves that cultural heritage can continue to live, be relevant, and be loved by today's generation," said Billy.

Participants are required to appear in group formations consisting of at least 5 to 7 people. The rule is that the main choreography cannot be changed, but participants are given the freedom to develop floor patterns and composition in choreography.

The dance choreography that will be performed by all participants is a special work by Bathara Savergadi Dewantoro, a dancer, choreographer, and director of a puppet drama, who is also Art Director at Swargaloka Art.

"For me, the details of hand movements in dances that develop in Indonesia are quite complex. For Indonesian choreography to dance this year," said Bathara.

"I want to introduce some differences or small details of dances from each region in almost the same form, such as the movement to rotate the wrist and the position of the finger that characterizes each region," he continued.

He hopes that through his work, participants can experience the dynamics of energy from various unique characteristics of dance traditions in Indonesia.

The entire choreography movement is accompanied by a medley strain of regional songs rearranged by Alffy Rev. This collaboration combines cultural wealth with contemporary music to create slick harmony.

The eight regional songs that are rearranged include Sinanggar Tulo, Kicir-Kicir, Cing Cangkeling, Anging Mamiri, Rek Come on Rek, Indung-Indung, Si Patokaan, and Tanganan.