December 7, 2025 | 08:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Astana hosted a cultural showcase titled “Wonderful Indonesia 2025” at the Sheraton-Astana Hotel Ballroom on Thursday, December 5, 2025, as part of the commemoration of 32 years of Indonesia–Kazakhstan diplomatic relations, according to a press release received by Tempo on Sunday morning, December 7, 2025.
The event, which also forms part of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Anniversary celebrations, featured a series of traditional and modern performances aimed at strengthening cultural exchange between the two nations.
Dance performance at Wonderful Indonesia 2025. Doc. Indonesian Embassy Astana
The evening opened with the Persembahan Dance from Riau, a traditional welcoming performance symbolized by the offering of tepak sirih. It was followed by a Betawi dance accompanied by the song Ondel-Ondel, a Wayang Golek puppetry segment from West Java—recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage—and a collaborative performance from Kalimantan combining Angklung Toel and the Cik Cik Periuk dance.
Other performances included the Tor Tor Hata Sopisik dance from North Sumatra and a Pencak Silat demonstration by a Kazakh martial artist who has won multiple national titles and medals at the Asian Championships.
One of the highlights was a joint Indonesian–Kazakh dance choreographed by Agung Saputra, cultural staff at the Indonesian Embassy and a doctoral student at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Bali. The piece blended traditional elements from both countries, supported by music combining Indonesia’s sape and Kazakhstan’s dombra.
Musical group Yasawi from Almaty also performed both nations’ national anthems before the event proceeded with formal remarks and a tumpeng-cutting ceremony.
Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Dr. M. Fadjroel Rachman, said the celebration served as a platform to promote Indonesia's cultural heritage abroad. “I express my deepest gratitude to all attendees, including ambassadors, rectors, media, businesspeople, and our guest of honor, the Deputy Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan, Assan Darbayev,” he said. “This event is part of commemorating Indonesia’s 80th Independence Anniversary and the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan.”
Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Dr. M. Fadjroel Rachman, delivered a speech at the Wonderful Indonesia 2025 event. Doc. Indonesian Embassy in Astana
Member of Indonesia’s Audit Board, Dr. Nyoman Adhi Suryadnyana, who attended as a guest of honor, described the event as an effective form of cultural diplomacy. He highlighted Kazakhstan’s economic potential and said Indonesia’s cultural center in Astana could play a strategic role in strengthening ties.
Miss Indonesia 1995, Santi Manuhutu Crabtree, who has lived in Kazakhstan for four years, also praised the event as a strong promotional effort for Indonesia, noting the variety of Indonesian dishes presented, including tumpeng, bakso, satay, and dadar gulung.
The celebration concluded with a lively flash mob dance, Tabola Bole, involving guests, performers, and embassy staff.
Read: Kazakhstan Confirmed to Join Abraham Accords
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