KBRN, Mataram: The Indonesian Theater Festival (FTI) is set to debut as the first major event bringing together artists from across the archipelago in four host cities: Medan, Palu, Mataram, and Jakarta.

Twenty selected theater groups and individual artists will present literary adaptations and contemporary stage innovations. Beyond performances, FTI will feature work talks, discussions, workshops, stage tours, archival exhibitions, symposiums, and the FTI Terrace as a meeting space for local communities.

The festival is a collaboration between TITIMANGSA and PENASTRI, supported by the Directorate General of Cultural Development, Utilization, and Fostering at the Ministry of Culture. Its inaugural theme, “Circulation of Illusions,” explores how reality and representation intertwine in contemporary life, expanding the relationship between literary texts and the theatrical stage.

Happy Salma, founder of FTI, said the festival is expected to serve as “a space for cultural interaction, as well as a learning and adaptation space for theater practitioners from diverse backgrounds.” She spoke at the festival’s press conference on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Ahmad Mahendra, Director General of Culture, echoed this sentiment, describing FTI as an important platform for transferring literary works to the stage and strengthening National Talent Management for Arts and Culture. He noted that the curation process considered aesthetic strength, relevance to each city’s context, and fair representation across regions and generations.

Medan – Experiments, Urban Narratives, and Performance Energy

Venue: RRI Medan Auditorium (Dec. 1–3, 2025)

Medan opens the festival with diverse artistic approaches:

Bali Experimental Theater explores Balinese body and sound in contemporary form

Luna Vidya/Storytelling Academy stages Makassarese oral storytelling in an intimate format

Porman Wilson Manalu presents a monodrama on human relationships and memory

Stage Corner Community delivers realist theater with fast-paced dialogue

Kurusetra Theater from Lampung offers a symbolic performance with traditional nuances and regional music.

Palu – Tradition, Movement, and Visual Exploration

Venue: Palu Arts Building (Dec. 6–8, 2025)

Palu becomes a stage for movement, ritual, and visual exploration:

Insomnia Theater Movement from West Lombok presents repetitive body dynamics

Sakatoya Community from Yogyakarta adapts literature in a minimalist form, emphasizing silence and emotion

Lentera Silolangi, as host, stages local Palu stories with ethnic music

Studiklub Teater Bandung showcases classical-modern theater with a strong dramatic structure

Tilik Sarira Creative Process from Central Java blends ritual, improvisation, and spiritual symbols.

Mataram – Archipelagic Identity and Aesthetics

Venue: NTB Cultural Park (Dec. 10–12, 2025)

Mataram highlights Indonesia’s cultural diversity:

Dexara Hachika from Pontianak experiments with objects, light, and space

Nara Teater from East Flores presents tradition-based works with eastern Indonesian music and movement

Sanggar Budaya Kalimantan Selatan stages folk tales in a musical format

Teater Lho Indonesia from Mataram explores coastal identity through poetic symbols

Yeni Wahyuni from Padang Panjang performs a monologue on women, home, and family memory.

Jakarta – Large-Scale Production and Contemporary Styles

Venue: Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki (Dec. 14–16, 2025)

Jakarta closes the festival with a spectrum of contemporary aesthetics:

Andi Bahar Merdhu from Gowa presents stage poetry with expressive vocals and gestures

Bengkel Seni Embun from Ambon blends musical theater with archipelagic harmony

Rumah Kreatif Suku Seni Riau adapts literature with refined musical compositions

Serikat Teater Sapu Lidi/Ramdiana from Banda Aceh stages symbolic theater with sharp emotional dynamics

Teater Kubur from East Jakarta delivers bold, critical performances full of visual experimentation.

Beyond performances, FTI preserves knowledge through an archival program documented by writers in each city and published as an e-book. The festival also presents the Lifetime Service Award (PSH FTI) to honor theater figures who have contributed to their regions.

With its four-city reach, diverse styles, and spirit of celebrating literature on stage, FTI marks an important milestone in expanding artistic networks, fostering dialogue, and revitalizing theater as a shared space for creativity. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)