This year’s theme is Majestic Nusantara, a reference to the identity and unity of a country of thousands of islands: Indonesia 

PHILADELPHIA – Fleisher Art Memorial (Fleisher) has teamed up once again with Gapura to present “The Island Country,” Philadelphia’s 3rd Annual Indonesian Festival. The outdoor event is free and open to the public, and is the culmination of a month-long series of events by Gapura, the Indonesian Community Center in Philadelphia. This year’s festival theme, Majestic Nusantara, celebrates the rich identity and unity of Indonesia—a vibrant nation of thousands of islands.  

“I’m thrilled we’re back to promote Indonesian culture, showcasing our rich culinary heritage, traditional music, and dances, as well as activities for all ages,” said Irza Hajati, the celebration committee chair. “This celebration embodies strong community collaboration – rooted in our community, for our community!” 

The festival offers folk games, music, and dance with a diverse lineup of talented performers in ornate costumes presented throughout the day. An array of vendors will offer delicious Indonesian delicacies, stunning Batik creations, engaging arts and crafts activities, and a wide range of Indonesian goods for everyone in the family.  

“For me, having the festival in the Philly area is like building a home, planting seeds and roots in the area,” said Detty Kastubi Aziz, a Sundanese dance artist, community member and participant. “Being able to provide a place to share our arts and culture, enjoy our food and telling our stories to the surrounding community, will build a sense of togetherness, tolerance and empathy among us.” 

Each summer, Fleisher and Gapura have shared space and resources to collaborate on this series of community engagement programs with culminating events hosted at Fleisher. Through this collaboration, Fleisher provides essential opportunities for preserving and sharing Indonesian cultural life and traditions along with Gapura and Modero & Company, an Indonesian dance troupe.  

Fleisher has cultivated a strong relationship with the Indonesian immigrant community in South Philadelphia — and anyone interested in learning more about Indonesia — by holding year-long free dance classes with master artist Sinta Penyami Storms of Modero & Company. Through its Creative Aging program, Fleisher hosts a workshop for those 55+ and their families to come together in community and build a large papier-mâché Gegoban to be displayed during the festival. Gegoban means offering, and this traditional towering arrangement of fruits or flowers, sometimes worn on the head, symbolizes abundance and gratitude to the divine.  

“To welcome any community to our spaces and create a day of festivities revolving around culture, tradition, and the arts is on par with Samuel Fleisher’s mission of making art accessible to all,” said Gerard Silva, Fleisher’s Director of Community Outreach. “The Indonesian community in Philadelphia is rich in tradition and an extremely diverse group of individuals that enrich the cultural landscape of our city through their food, talent, and love.” 

For more information about the month-long celebration and related events, please visit https://gapuraphilly.org/islandcountry. 

About Fleisher Art Memorial 

Fleisher Art Memorial is a source of inspiration, creativity, and community. Every year, more than 20,000 people experience the transformative power of art by participating in our classes, tuition-free classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community-based programs. Founded in 1898, Fleisher is one of the country’s oldest nonprofit community art schools and are committed to advancing the vision of its founder, Samuel S. Fleisher, who believed that art is one of society’s greatest assets and equalizers, and from the doorway of his Graphic Sketch Club, “invited the world to come and learn art.”  

Website: www.fleisher.org 

About Gapura 

Gapura is the first Indonesian Community Center in the Philadelphia region. Gapura’s mission is to honor traditions, empower the community, and unlock dreams within Indonesian-Americans in Philadelphia. As its name suggests, Gapura aims to serve as a gateway for the Indonesian community in Philadelphia, bridging past, present, and future through economic, social, and cultural empowerment. Additionally, Gapura seeks to bridge the physical distance between Indonesia and the Philadelphia Indonesian community through its programs and initiatives. 

Website: www.gapuraphilly.org 

About Modero & Co 

Originally starting as a dance company, Modero quickly expanded its mission to encompass other aspects of Indonesian culture, including food, fashion, and beyond. We believe that by embracing these diverse facets, we can better promote and showcase the beauty and uniqueness of the Indonesian heritage. Through their various initiatives, Modero has successfully bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary Indonesian culture. They have been instrumental in preserving age-old dance forms, showcasing traditional culinary delights, promoting indigenous fashion, and raising awareness about important social issues in a creative and engaging way. 

Website: https://modero.co/