The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul organized a vibrant cultural celebration at Yeouido Hangang Park on Saturday, presenting the rich traditions, cuisine, and artistic heritage of Southeast Asia's largest archipelago nation to both Korean locals and international visitors in the capital city.
Festival Indonesia 2025 transformed the riverside park into a showcase of Indonesian culture, featuring multiple themed zones designed to immerse visitors in authentic experiences. The festival's food zone served up beloved Indonesian classics including nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice), mie goreng (Indonesian fried noodles), and numerous other traditional dishes that represent the diverse culinary landscape of the 17,000-island nation. Meanwhile, the craft zone offered visitors the opportunity to explore and purchase authentic batik clothing, intricate handmade products, and participate in interactive traditional games that have been passed down through generations.
The main stage became the centerpiece of cultural entertainment throughout the day, presenting visitors with captivating traditional performances that highlighted Indonesia's artistic diversity. Attendees were treated to the mesmerizing sounds of gamelan music, featuring the traditional ensemble of bronze percussion instruments that form the backbone of Indonesian classical music. The spectacular Reog Ponorogo dance, a traditional folk art form from East Java known for its elaborate masks and dynamic movements, drew enthusiastic crowds. The Indonesian cultural troupe KTTI (Indonesian Cultural Arts Group) delivered additional performances showcasing various regional art forms. The festivities reached their peak when popular Indonesian pop singer Armand Maulana took the stage for a live concert, bringing contemporary Indonesian music to the Seoul audience.
This annual festival serves a dual purpose in strengthening the cultural bridge between South Korea and Indonesia while simultaneously creating valuable opportunities for Indonesian small businesses and artists to connect with broader international markets. The event reflects the growing cultural exchange between the two nations and demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to sharing its rich heritage with the global community.
Indonesian Ambassador to Seoul Bapak Cecep Herawan emphasized the festival's significance in fostering people-to-people connections, expressing his hope that the event would serve as a meaningful opportunity to bring citizens of both nations closer together and strengthen the bonds within the broader ASEAN community. His remarks highlighted the diplomatic importance of cultural events in building lasting international relationships.
The embassy revealed that the comprehensive program received substantial support from major Indonesian financial institutions, including Bank Mandiri and Bank Syariah Indonesia, demonstrating the private sector's commitment to cultural diplomacy. The festival also drew active participation from the vibrant Indonesian student community currently studying in Korea, adding an authentic grassroots element to the celebration and showcasing the strong educational ties between the two countries.
