Indonesian Dance Festival 2026: Strengthening Global Contemporary Dance Exchange

JAKARTA – The Indonesian Dance Festival (IDF) 2026 officially ended in Jakarta on Sunday, November 1. This 18th edition marked 34 years of the festival supporting contemporary dance in Indonesia since its debut in 1992.

Under the theme Underlying Drift, the festival brought artists together from many different countries through performances and supporting events. During the four-day event, artists, choreographers, curators, and the public met to discuss changes in identity, tradition, and society through modern dance.

Furthermore, the festival highlighted unique cultural perspectives. For instance, Fangas Nayaw, an indigenous Amis artist from Taiwan, showed how traditional culture can inspire modern art creation. He explained that people constantly shape their identity through daily relationships with others and their surroundings.

At the same time, Indonesian choreographer Hartati presented her work titled Waktu Paruh. She used body movement to explore memory, personal background, and social changes. She emphasized that traditional culture can actively connect with modern experiences to find fresh creative forms.

In addition, the festival presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to dance maestro Retno Maruti on opening night, Thursday, October 29. The organizers honored her strong dedication to preserving Indonesian dance traditions. Retno shared her hope that younger generations will bravely care for and develop this artistic heritage.

Moreover, Festival Director Ratri Anindyajati stressed the importance of keeping creative spaces open for artists. She noted that art survives when artists allow new ideas to grow. Consequently, the festival acts as a meeting place where creators of all backgrounds can learn from one another.

In addition to main stage performances, the festival offered workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative spaces. Overall, more than a dozen sessions connected speakers, curators, and performers.

Finally, Curator Linda Mayasari explained that mixing diverse cultural ideas keeps modern art alive and growing. After 34 years, the Indonesian Dance Festival steadily helps artists build networks and share new concepts with the world. Readers can find more details on their official website at indonesiandancefestival.id.

_{Photo doc. indonesiandancefestival.id}