RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombo officially inaugurated the Indonesia Cultural Centre on Wednesday, August 12, as part of its efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and people-to-people relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The Indonesia Cultural Centre was officially inaugurated by Mrs. Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and Maldives, with Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, attending as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Muneer Mulafer, Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions, principals, university lecturers, students, artists, and cultural practitioners in Sri Lanka.
The Indonesia Cultural Centre has been established as a space for the Sri Lankan public to learn about and experience Indonesian culture. The Centre includes a library featuring Indonesian books and cultural materials, traditional musical instruments such as Javanese Gamelan and Angklung, Wayang Kulit and Wayang Golek puppets, a space for traditional dance practice, Indonesian language classes, and facilities for Indonesian film screenings.
A highlight of the inauguration was a special performance by Gamelan Sekar Laras, a Javanese Gamelan ensemble comprising Sri Lankan musicians who have been trained and mentored by the Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo. The ensemble performed the popular Javanese piece “Lancaran Gugur Gunung,” creating an impressive atmosphere and captivating the audience with the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Javanese Gamelan.
The inauguration also featured a presentation of Tari Tor Tor, a traditional dance originating from the Batak community of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The performance was presented by dancers from Sanka Samudhi Performing Art Foundation, Kalutara, Sri Lanka, showcasing the cultural richness of Indonesia’s traditional performing arts to the Sri Lankan audience.
Adding to the diversity of the cultural programme, Tari Legong Bapang Saba from Bali was also performed by staff members of the Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo. The graceful movements, distinctive expressions, and elegant choreography of the Balinese dance provided the audience with an opportunity to experience another unique tradition from Indonesia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The performances of Gamelan Sekar Laras, Tari Tor Tor, and Tari Legong Bapang Saba collectively presented a glimpse of Indonesia’s remarkable cultural diversity, spanning Java, North Sumatra, and Bali. The participation of Sri Lankan artists alongside Indonesian diplomatic staff also demonstrated the important role of cultural activities in fostering mutual appreciation, artistic collaboration, and people-to-people connections between Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The performances received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience, many of whom were impressed to see Sri Lankan musicians and dancers presenting Indonesian traditional arts, as well as Indonesian diplomatic staff actively participating in cultural performances. The programme reflected the growing appreciation of Indonesian culture among the Sri Lankan community and highlighted the potential for continued cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Moving forward, the Indonesia Cultural Centre (ICC) will open a range of courses and cultural programmes for the people of Sri Lanka, including Indonesian language courses, traditional Indonesian dance classes, traditional Indonesian musical instrument classes, and other cultural activities. These programmes are intended to provide the Sri Lankan public with opportunities to learn, experience, and engage directly with Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage.
The Centre will also host various cultural programmes, including workshops, exhibitions, traditional arts performances, film screenings, and other cultural exchange programmes, providing opportunities for Sri Lankan communities to engage directly with Indonesian culture.
The establishment of the Indonesia Cultural Centre marks another milestone in the longstanding friendship between Indonesia and Sri Lanka and is expected to further strengthen cultural understanding, artistic collaboration, and people-to-people connections between the two countries.Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombo.
