Kartini’s Voice Resonates Once More Through a Multigenerational Artistic Reading of Her Letters and Ideas in the Performance “Terbitlah Terang”

In commemoration of Kartini Day this year, Titimangsa in collaboration with Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation brought together multigenerational artists for a literary and vocal performance titled “Terbitlah Terang: A Reading of Kartini’s Letters and Ideas.” Held at the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta today, the performance paid tribute to the thoughts, struggles, and spirit of Raden Ajeng Kartini—an enduring flame for Indonesian women and the nation.

"'Terbitlah Terang: A Reading of Kartini's' Letters and Ideas’ is more than a remembrance of Raden Ajeng Kartini as a pioneer of women’s emancipation. It is a celebration of a visionary woman who laid the foundation for self-awareness, equality, and courageous thought. Through her honest and stirring letters, Kartini shows that great change begins with the courage to feel, reflect, and speak one’s truth. This moment invites the younger generation to reflect on the meaning of struggle and to carry forward Kartini’s spirit today. Through education, courage, and empathy, we can create a fairer, more equal, and humane world. The spirit of Kartini is not a relic of the past—it is a guiding light for our present and future," said Renitasari Adrian, Program Director of Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation.

Presented in a monologue format, Kartini’s original letters were brought to life through the voices of prominent Indonesian artists: Christine Hakim, Ratna Riantiarno, Reza Rahadian, Marsha Timothy, Maudy Ayunda, Lutesha, Cinta Laura, Chelsea Islan, Happy Salma, and Bagus Ade Putra. Under the direction of Sri Qadariatin, these multigenerational performers did more than read—they breathed life into Kartini’s heartfelt writings from over a century ago, still resonant today.

"Today, we don’t just remember Kartini as a historical figure, but celebrate her as a reflection for every human being—women and men alike—who continue striving to understand their minds, feel deeply, and express both with honesty. To be human is to think freely and feel wholly. Reading Kartini’s letters is not just an exploration of history, but a journey through the inner world of a woman who dared to dream and think beyond the boundaries of her time. Celebrating Kartini means celebrating the courage to know oneself and to speak one's conscience. Kartini proved that a woman’s voice—when true to her thoughts and faithful to her heart—has the power to change the course of history," said Happy Salma, Founder of Titimangsa.

The letters read during the performance were drawn from “Call Me Kartini” by Pramoedya Ananta Toer (Lentera Dipantara, 2006) and “Kartini: Collection of Letters 1899–1904” by Wardinam Djoyonegoro, Volume 1 (Pustaka Obor, 2024). Kartini’s first letter was addressed to one of her pen pals, Estelle (Stella) Zeehandelaar, a feminist activist in the Netherlands. This letter marked the beginning of a correspondence that would become widely known as the earliest form of Indonesian women’s thought on emancipation, education, and social justice. Through these letters, Kartini not only displayed her intellect and social sensitivity but also her boldness in challenging an unjust social order and a system that silenced women. Her letters to Stella symbolized a cross-cultural meeting of minds that ignited solidarity and an unstoppable spirit of the times.

Kartini’s emotional turmoil and sincere doubts were also vividly expressed in her correspondence with Mr. and Mrs. Abendanon, a couple who were strong supporters of her struggle. These letters conveyed her yearning for freedom, her thirst for knowledge, and her hope for the future of women in her homeland.

“Call me Kartini…”

This iconic line served as the soul of the performance, opening a contemplative space through letters filled with courage, sorrow, love, anger, and hope. The readings were presented in various approaches to bring Kartini’s emotions and thoughts back to life. The performance opened with a prologue by Ratna Riantiarno, contextualizing the historical compilation of Kartini’s letters. Christine Hakim and Marsha Timothy then voiced Kartini’s ideas on the importance of educational awareness. Chelsea Islan, Cinta Laura, Luthesa, and Bagus Ade Saputra explored Kartini’s thoughts on social norms and gender bias, as well as themes of freedom and women's dignity. Meanwhile, Reza Rahadian and Maudy Ayunda addressed Kartini’s criticism of government policies affecting the people's economy and environmental issues. The epilogue of Terbitlah Terang was delivered by Happy Salma in a reflective and contemporary narration.

Through this performance, Kartini is no longer just a historical figure—she is a living voice, relevant and burning bright in response to today’s challenges. “This performance is not merely a tribute to R.A. Kartini as a figure of women’s emancipation, but also a reflective space for the public to trace a woman’s courageous thought in transcending the social and cultural boundaries of her time. Through her letters, the audience is invited to explore the personal dimension of a visionary woman who wrote not only as a means of self-expression, but also as an effort to build collective awareness. Kartini did not just leave us a narrative legacy, but also the spirit to think freely, feel completely, and speak honestly,” said director Sri Qadariatin.

Terbitlah Terang: A Reading of Kartini’s Letters and Ideas also marks the opening of the SUNTING exhibition: The Traces of Indonesian Women as Agents of Change. The exhibition honors the role of Indonesian women throughout history, with Sunting as a symbol of strength, dignity, and social transformation. From the publication of Sunting Melayu by Rohana Kudus to the struggle of R.A. Kartini, women have long voiced equality and shaped the nation’s direction across diverse fields. The exhibition invites reflection on women’s contributions to civilization and encourages public participation in building a more equitable future. It runs from April 22 to July 31, 2025, at the National Museum of Indonesia.