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The Twente Indonesian Fest brought a touch of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage to life at the Bastille, University of Twente. Among the festival’s highlights was a fun traditional and contemporary dance workshop that introduced international students to the unique movements inspired by the Enggang bird, an endemic species from Kalimantan, Indonesia. The workshop offered participants a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and depth of Indonesian culture, emphasizing both tradition and innovation.
The workshop was led by Tri Widya Widyaandini, known as Widya. Widya is a student from Akuntansi Sektor Publik 2022 at Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) and currently an exchange student at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. As part of her effort to share Indonesia’s cultural heritage with a global audience, Widya shared her passion in traditional and contemporary dances. Her teaching combined the fluid, symbolic movements of the Enggang bird with lively modern adaptations. To enhance the authenticity of the event even more, traditional Kalimantan accessories were incorporated, offering a complete cultural experience.
This dance workshop was a part of the Twente Indonesian Fest, a vibrant cultural event dedicated to showcasing Indonesia’s heritage to a diverse, international audience. This dance workshop was just one of many highlights of the Twente Indonesian Fest, which offered a vibrant of cultural experiences to its international audience. While Widya’s session focused on a traditional dance workshop that delved into the symbolic movements of the Enggang bird, attendees were also treated to an Indonesian food bazaar offering a variety of authentic dishes, traditional games like gasing and congklak, a bead bracelet-making activity, and performances of Indonesian pop songs and dangdut. Together, these events create a rich, interesting celebration of Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage.
The impact of the traditional dance workshop was best captured by Yuqi, an International student from China, who shared her experience: “I feel so happy to have been part of this workshop. Dancing to mimic the Enggang bird was both traditional and cultural. I loved how it allowed me to connect with Indonesia’s heritage, and I’m grateful for the chance to learn something so unique.” Her words reflected the enthusiasm and appreciation felt by many of the attendees.
The workshop was designed to create a fun and respectful cultural exchange as well as giving international students a chance to experience the beauty of Indonesia’s culture. By introducing the unique artistry of Kalimantan’s dances. It wasn’t just about teaching movements but sharing the stories, values, and symbolism behind them. Events like this help bridge cultural gaps, showing how art can connect people from different backgrounds in a shared celebration of heritage.
This initiative also highlighting the significance of Indonesian students abroad as cultural ambassadors. Through her dedication and efforts, Widya not only shared a part of her home country’s culture but also strengthened cross-cultural connections, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated. Her work stands as a testament to the power of cultural diplomacy and the role of youth in preserving and celebrating Indonesia’s rich traditions on the world stage. (rda)