Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta again showed its international work by participating in the 11th International Folk Dance Festival (TARI’25) organized by Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) Malaysia on November 20-23, 2025. The participation of the ISI Yogyakarta Dance Department in this event is the fourth time, marking the ongoing collaborative relationship between ISI Yogyakarta and ASWARA in the development of traditional performing arts at the Asian level.
The TARI’25 Festival presents participants from various renowned art institutions in the Asian region. This year, ISI Yogyakarta performed with ASWARA Malaysia, Guangxi Arts University (China), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Hanoi College of Arts (Vietnam), University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines), Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia Bandung, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Malaysia, Arts and Culture Association Timor Furak (Timor Leste), Istana Budaya Malaysia, Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts (Singapore), and Ceylon Dance Foundation (Sri Lanka). The presence of these diverse institutions makes the festival a dynamic space for cultural dialogue and strengthens the network of cooperation between countries.
During the festival, ISI Yogyakarta participated in a series of agendas that included main performances, seminars, workshops, and performances on the peak night. On November 20, 2025, ISI Yogyakarta performed the dance work “Candra Bawera” by Dra. Setyastuti, M.Sn. at the Experimental Theater ASWARA. This work represents the richness of Yogyakarta folk dance through energetic movements, strong characters, and thick traditional nuances. On the same day, ISI Yogyakarta delegates also participated in a seminar that brought together dance academics and practitioners from various countries to share perspectives on the development of dance in Asia.
The next day, November 21, 2025, ISI Yogyakarta also conducted a dance workshop that received high enthusiasm from international students. In this session, participants learned some traditional Indonesian dance techniques, especially Yogyakarta folk dance, thus creating a warm and collaborative cultural interaction. This workshop is one of ISI Yogyakarta's important contributions in introducing Nusantara dance techniques to the global community.
On the gala night which took place on November 22-23, 2025 at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, ISI Yogyakarta again performed a superior work entitled “Beksan Nirbaya”, also by Dra. Setyastuti, M.Sn. This performance was a highlight because it presented a musical collaboration with the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra and the National Symphonic Orchestra (Istana Budaya Malaysia). The harmonization between the orchestral music composition and Yogyakarta dance aesthetics created a magnificent performance atmosphere and emphasized the identity of Yogyakarta art on the international stage.
In this activity, ISI Yogyakarta sent a contingent consisting of lecturers and students, namely Dr. Suryati, M.Hum; Dr. I Nyoman Cau Arsana, S.Sn., M.Hum; Dindin Heryadi, M.Sn; Dra. Setyastuti, M.Sn; Icha Fikri Kurniawan; Raihan Putra Tulus Pambudi; Dhanurwenda Kintaka Hastra; Nurma Mitzuhu Nurika; Imelda Dhea Invioleta; and Wilujeng Dwi Amanda. Their participation not only strengthens ISI Yogyakarta's representation in the international world, but also becomes an important experience in developing academic and artistic competencies in the realm of performing arts.
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