Galeri Indonesia Kaya Celebrates 12 Years of Blending Indonesia's Traditional Wealth with a Contemporary Touch

For twelve years, Galeri Indonesia Kaya (GIK) has been present as a digital public space that serves as a platform for expression, education, and appreciation for the Indonesian performing arts world. Dedicated to the wider community, GIK is a tangible manifestation of the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation's commitment to introducing and preserving Indonesian culture, especially to the younger generation, so that they will always be proud and not lose their identity as Indonesians.

Galeri Indonesia Kaya is the first and only public space in Indonesia to combine the concept of cultural education with interactive digital technology. Embracing the spirit of learning about culture in a fun way, GIK is open to the public and free of charge, making it an inclusive place for anyone who wants to learn about the diversity of Indonesian culture.

Since its inauguration on October 10, 2013, Galeri Indonesia Kaya has been visited by over 1,000,000 visitors and has hosted over 3,000 performances that blend the richness of tradition with a contemporary touch. No less than 1,000 artists have been involved in various activities ranging from dance, theater, musical theater, monologs, music performances, literary appreciation, to cultural visits.

For the past twelve years, Galeri Indonesia Kaya has been a space that brings together artists and the community, bridging tradition with a contemporary spirit. We believe that cultural preservation not only means preserving the past, but also making space for young generations to interpret and express Indonesian culture in their own way. "Galeri Indonesia Kaya will continue to be a vibrant space for artists and the community to jointly preserve, celebrate, and perpetuate Indonesia's cultural heritage," said Renitasari Adrian, Program Director of Galeri Indonesia Kaya.

In celebration of its 12th anniversary, Galeri Indonesia Kaya presents a series of special performances featuring various art groups from across Indonesia. Thru the performances showcased this October weekend, Galeri Indonesia Kaya serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation, between previous generations and the nation's successors.

The series of performances for the Indonesian Kaya Gallery's Birthday Celebration began with the play Kala Padi by Teater Koma on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The play presented by the legendary theater group, which was founded in 1977 and has produced over 230 stage and television performances, tells the story of Batara Kala, who is never satisfied, is always hungry, and continues to seek prey. During his asceticism, he was captivated by the beauty of the goddess Srinandi and forced her to become his wife, but the goddess refused and fled to the kingdom of Medangkamulyan, disguising herself as rice in the middle of a paddy field. Batara Kala's anger also exploded; he turned the giant army into rats to search for Dewi Sri, causing chaos in the kingdom.

Next, there is the Ayu Bulan Dance Workshop, a professional dance group founded in Bandung in 1994 by Dr. Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik. With the mission of preserving Legong as the root of various Balinese performing arts, they will also showcase their work at the Galeri Indonesia Kaya on Sunday, October 5, 2025. The Palegongan Kiskenda performance is the latest adaptation of the Legong dance-drama created by the late maestro Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik, which depicts the epic Ramayana story of the conflict between the brothers Subali and Sugriwa in the event of the Kiskenda Cave. A misunderstanding of the victory sign led Sugriwa to desire to marry Dewi Tara, Subali's wife, which triggered a fierce battle between the two.

I am grateful for the presence of Galeri Indonesia Kaya, which is not only a performance venue but also a home for artists from various generations to express themselves, exchange ideas, and reach new audiences. Galeri Indonesia Kaya has opened opportunities for many art workers to continue experimenting amidst changing times, while also serving as an important bridge between the performing arts world and the younger generation. Here, young people can learn about the nation's cultural richness in a fresh and relevant way for their time. "Galeri Indonesia Kaya is not just a space for performance, but a space for learning and growth, a place where the spirit of art thrives and strengthens our love for Indonesia's cultural richness," said Ratna Riantiarno, one of the founders of Teater Koma, who is also active in the world of theater and various Indonesian films.

The 12th anniversary celebration of Galeri Indonesia Kaya was made even more festive by the inclusion of Indonesia Menari 2025, which will be officially held simultaneously on October 12, 2025, in 11 cities across Indonesia, including Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Medan, Makassar, Palembang, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Manado, Bekasi, and Karawang. In total, over 8,000 participants took part in the annual event, which has been held since 2012. Indonesia Dances consistently serves as a platform for appreciating Indonesian dances, packaged with a modern, fresh, and inclusive format.

Entering the third weekend, Indonesian performing arts enthusiasts will be entertained by the performance of Kala & Nyala, Two Guardians of the Furnace of Life, a work by Titimangsa, a cultural institution dedicated to translating Indonesian literary works into various forms of performing arts. This allegorical fantasy-themed theater performance depicts a spiritual journey to revive the values of life contained within the traditional arts of the Nusantara. The story follows Kala, the guardian of time, and Nyala, the guardian of spirit, who are trying to save the world from destruction because the flame of the Furnace of Life has gone out. In their journey across space and time, they met Masters who reminded them that the flame of life would be extinguished if humanity forgot the three main relationships: with God, with fellow humans, and with nature. This show will be performed on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

On Sunday, October 19, 2025, Unlogic Theater, a theater group founded in 2014 and initiated by female artists with a spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration, will address gender, social, and traditional issues thru various artistic works at both national and global levels, presenting a performance titled Nyai Hariri. This performance tells the story of Djegol, a village youth whose love is rejected by Nyai Hariri, a beautiful and wealthy woman famous in her village. Overwhelmed by heartbreak, Djegol planned revenge with the help of Mak Edah, a servant in Nyai Hariri's house, and Dukun Siti Juharoh. Using the Nyai's photo and hair, they performed the Tusuk Konde Curse, which killed Nyai Hariri and her child. However, the restless spirit of Nyai Hariri rose to seek revenge on the three of them. Set in a Jakarta village in 1902, this performance presents a modern theater visual concept that combines a stage screen as an illustrative element, for magnification, and for scene continuity, creating an organic connection between visual events and stage action.

To close out the weekend in October and the final event of its anniversary series, Galeri Indonesia Kaya presents a performance titled "Red and White Ocean" on Saturday, October 25, 2025. This performance is presented by Teater Tanah Air, a children's theater group founded in 1988 under the guidance of Jose Rizal Manua and led by Nunum Raraswati. Known for its achievements at the national and international levels, Teater Tanah Air has received various awards, including the Satyalancana Wira Karya from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and a MURI record as the Indonesian children's theater group with the most international awards. The story centers on a group of children who try to revive the spirit of the Youth Pledge by raising the red and white flag, even tho they have to face the obstacle of attacking giants. With courage and cunning, they realized that the giant was afraid of the colors red and white, until finally the celebration was lively again with a sea of red and white.

"We hope that the various programs presented by Galeri Indonesia Kaya will continue to inspire and serve as a space for artists and the community to grow and love Indonesian performing arts." We extend our deepest gratitude to our rich Indonesian friends, performing arts enthusiasts, and media partners who have consistently supported our efforts over the past twelve years. The support and appreciation provided keep the Indonesian Kaya Gallery alive and thriving," concluded Renitasari.