Indonesian Students Bring Nusantara Culture to the Heart of Moscow at HSE Unity Fest 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024 – Moscow, Russia – In a vibrant display of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, the HSE Indonesian Club—composed of Indonesian students studying in Russia—unveiled a series of traditional dance performances at the HSE Unity Fest 2024 held at HSE University, Moscow. This annual event, hosted by the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) since 2022, serves as a multicultural platform where international students showcase the unique traditions of their homelands. The Indonesian students’ participation in this year’s festival made a notable impact, as they joined over 30 countries in bringing a tapestry of global culture to the stage and festival booths over two immersive days.
Showcasing the Heart of Indonesia
One of the festival’s highlights was the Cultural Show, drawing hundreds of attendees to experience traditional music and dance worldwide. Indonesia’s cultural medley captivated the crowd of 500, seamlessly weaving dance forms from six regions: South Sulawesi’s “Anging Mamiri,” West Sumatra’s “Kampuang Nan Jauh di Mato,” Kalimantan’s “Ampar-Ampar Pisang,” Papua’s “Yamko Rambe Yamko,” East Java’s “Yok Ayo Rek,” and Bali’s beloved “Mejangeran.”
HSE Indonesian Club General Coordinator Adila Maula expressed pride in the group’s performance: “Sharing Indonesia’s vibrant culture on an international stage is incredibly fulfilling, especially with the dedication my peers showed in preparing within just two weeks amid busy schedules,” she said.
Club member Bernadeth Vanesha Setiawan further underscored the significance of the group’s efforts to showcase Indonesia’s cultural diversity beyond Bali, already familiar to global audiences. “While Bali is world-renowned, Indonesia’s culatural identity encompasses much more, and our goal is to present that diversity,” she explained.
Also participating was Miqdad Kinaz, a student in the IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) program, who described the experience as rewarding and inspiring. “It’s an honor to represent Indonesia here, and to see our culture resonate with audiences from many different countries is a source of pride.”
A Cultural Hub at the Booth Festival
The HSE Unity Fest wasn’t limited to the stage. Festivalgoers explored booths from 18 countries, including an Indonesian booth that drew crowds with an array of cultural elements: the Javanese script Hanacaraka (ꦲꦤꦕꦫꦏ), angklung instruments, traditional Nusantara attire, and striking visual displays that highlighted Indonesia’s artistic heritage. This interactive setup enabled attendees to appreciate Indonesia’s multifaceted culture firsthand.
Through its passionate performances and engaging cultural displays, the HSE Indonesian Club left an indelible impression on Moscow, embodying the spirit of Nusantara culture and fostering intercultural understanding at one of Russia’s premier multicultural events.
