Jakarta, IO – Achievement is not just about collecting trophies—it is about how young Indonesians can amplify the voice of their nation through art and culture.
This was demonstrated proudly by students of Junior High School (SMP) and Senior High School (SMA) Al Izhar Pondok Labu, South Jakarta, who brought Indonesia into the spotlight by securing two top honors at the “Dancing Italy” International Contest Festival held in Rimini, Italy, in July 2025.
Competing against 20 groups from 17 European and Asian countries, with over 200 international participants, Al Izhar stood out with their performance “The Colors of Indonesia,” which won First Prize Place of Folk Dance, and “Ramphak Geulumbang” from Aceh, which earned the Grand Prix of Folk Dance.
After the win, Independent Observer had an opportunity to interview the dancers, teachers, coaches, parents and the founder of Kiny Cultura Indonesia.
Kalya Mahiya Pravina, an 11th-grade science student from SMA Al Izhar Pondok Labu, expressed her joy. “The result did not betray the effort we put in. This motivates me to keep achieving more,” said Kalya.
Before the competition, Kalya said, the students trained around 50 times, each session lasting two hours. “We trained even more intensely closer to departure to work on our fluidity and synchronization,” she explained.
“We also had a farewell performance at the Ministry of Culture before leaving.”
Their performance in Rimini drew enthusiastic responses from the audience. The team presented several traditional dances, including Nagekeo Bangkit (East Nusa Tenggara), Muda Mudi Papua, Tari Mirah (Jakarta) and Ramphak Geulumbang (Aceh).
Kalya said everything went smoothly on stage, though strong lighting was a challenge. “It was quite distracting, but we stayed focused and ended up with this amazing win,” she said.
This was Kalya’s ninth cultural mission abroad—she has mastered dozens of traditional dances. “It feels incredible and humbling to represent Indonesia on a global stage,” she added. “We never expected to win, but we always give our best and pray for the best outcome,” she answered when asked whether she expected the winning she earned in each cultural mission she participated in.
The achievement also brought pride to Ira Intasari, teacher and chaperone from Al Izhar. “Our students have brought honor to the nation by introducing Indonesian dance and traditional music internationally,” she said.
According to Ira, the team had several strengths: they showcased dynamic dances from various regions; used colorful traditional costumes with intricate accessories; performed live traditional music alongside the dance; and presented a harmonious collaboration between dancers and musicians. “This all came together to create a captivating performance,” she noted.
After this win, Ira hopes Al Izhar will continue joining global festivals like this to nurture students’ appreciation for Indonesian culture and help preserve it for future generations.
Marcella Azzahra, coach from Gema Citra Nusantara, echoed this pride. “Their spirit was incredible from the very beginning. They did not just train physically, but truly internalized every movement and the meaning behind each traditional dance they performed. Throughout the rehearsals, it was clear that they carried a deep love for Indonesian culture. They were disciplined, responsible and willingly dedicated months of their time to perfect their movements, expressions and team synchronization. Their preparation was not only technical, but also mental and emotional. I could see that they genuinely wanted to give their very best for Indonesia,” she said.
Marcella admitted that the training process was far from easy. There were physical, time, and emotional challenges. “But what makes me proud is that every one of these students was able to overcome them beautifully. Their spirit was extraordinary. They never once complained, even when they had to train for hours, repeat movements over and over under the hot sun, or practice late into the evening after school,” she said.
For Marcella, the victory was a delightful surprise. “Thank God, Indonesia won both the 1st Prize and the Grand Prix, and this proves that Indonesian culture can shine on the world stage,” she added.
“What made our performance special was that every dance was accompanied by traditional music played live by Al Izhar students themselves. So they were not just dancing—they were part of a full artistic creation, from the music and movement to the meaning. It was a collaborative performance that brought Indonesian culture to life in front of a global audience,” she said.
The sense of pride extended beyond the dancers, coaches and teachers. It was also deeply felt by Yuniko Asaari, mother of Azra Kiyoshi Manggala, a 12th grade student who took part in a cultural mission for the first time. “I am incredibly proud, especially knowing how rigorous the training was at the beginning of 2025. The students practiced twice a week after school, and often continued late into the night,” said Yuniko.
For her, the success of the Al Izhar cultural mission team was not just about winning, but about their teamwork and dedication. “I was moved and proud to see them perform with such harmony, both in dance and music. Watching them organize everything together—from instruments to costumes—just made me admire them even more. These students showed incredible commitment and responsibility. Their achievement is proof that with hard work, unity and the right guidance, greatness can be accomplished,” she said.
A collaborative program
A total of 45 individuals joined the cultural mission team, comprised of 26 dancers, 9 musicians, 4 coaches and 6 officials.
They performed as cultural ambassadors of Indonesia through a collaborative program involving Al Izhar Pondok Labu, Gema Citra Nusantara, and Kiny Cultura Indonesia—a cultural preservation foundation that is also an official member of CID UNESCO (Conseil International de la Danse).
This cultural mission program has now become an annual agenda at Al Izhar Pondok Labu, reflecting its commitment to shaping globally accomplished students who remain deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural heritage.
Kiki Puspita Sari, Director of Culture and Education at Kiny Cultura Indonesia, stated that Indonesia’s victory fostered a sense of pride and love for the country’s cultural heritage. “I hope this international achievement will not only be a source of national pride, but will also strengthen young people’s love for Indonesian culture. Their performance was a powerful form of cultural diplomacy—introducing Indonesia in a way that was beautiful, inspiring, and dignified,” said Kiki.
She expressed hope that Indonesian youth will grow into a generation that excels not only academically.
“With the spirit of ‘Young, Cultured Generation,’ we hope Indonesian children will grow into a generation that excels not only academically, but is also rich in cultural identity. A great nation is one that never forgets its cultural roots,” she said.
Kiki also hopes that the Government will bestow its highest commendation on the students who have brought pride to the nation, and to use this achievement as motivation to continue preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
Al Izhar Pondok Labu, Gema Citra Nusantara, and Kiny Cultura Indonesia have shown that Indonesian culture is not only something to be proud of—but something worthy of shining on the world stage.
