University of Indonesia Hosts Indonesian Arts Workshop for Japanese Students

RRI.CO.ID, Depok - Students from Japan's Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) participated in an Indonesian arts and culture workshop organized by the UI Directorate of Culture and the UI Faculty of Engineering at the UI's Makara Art Center in Depok, West Java.

Titled "Indonesian Art and Culture Workshop," the event aimed to introduce the archipelago's rich cultural heritage and strengthen relationships through an artistic approach.

Faculty members from the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UI) and professional artists Ari Prasetyo and Citra Cahyaning Sumirat led the workshop. Participants learned through hands-on instruction using various tools.

Eko Sulistiyo, a UI Directorate of Culture representative, expressed his appreciation for the participants' enthusiasm. "We're delighted to host TUAT students. Arts like gamelan and Balinese dance unite us across differences. This workshop shows cultural diplomacy in action, showing Indonesian art can inspire all young people," he said in a press release on Tuesday, February 24, 2026m as quoted by Antara.

The first session focused on Javanese gamelan. Participants learned to play gamelan instruments such as the saron, bonang, and gong under the guidance of Ari Prasetyo. They learned the techniques of striking the instruments and understood the philosophy behind the gentle, harmonious music.

During the second session, the atmosphere became more lively as the students learned the Pendet and Sekar Jagat dances from Bali. With the help of professional dancers, the students learned basic movements such as ngelo (one of the basic movements that involves body movements or twisting body positions), agem (basic position in Balinese dance that does not change from one movement to another), and seledet (eye movements).

Though the movements initially seemed stiff, the learning process was filled with joy and laughter as the students tried to imitate the graceful gestures of Balinese dancers.

“I’m an engineering student, but today I learned that precision and delicacy blend beautifully in Indonesian culture. It was a valuable and insightful experience," said Yuki Tanaka, one of the participants, through a translator.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Directorate of Culture, University of Indonesia, initiated an annual cultural exchange program with the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Participants are expected to become cultural ambassadors, introducing the beauty of Indonesia to their respective countries.

The event concluded with a group photo session and a short collaborative performance between Japanese students and Indonesian teachers, symbolizing the harmony of the two cultures on a stage of friendship. ***