INDOFest, the most waited for annual event for the Indonesian community of Adelaide was held on the 1st of April this year. This Indonesian arts, food and culture festival is aimed to promote and provide an exciting opportunity to learn more about our closest neighbours. As usual, the festival was held at Rymill Park, one of Adelaide's finest parks, just a small walk from city centre.
Thousands of Australians and Indonesians come to this event. INDOfest is not only a gathering event for ex-patriot Indonesians, but is one of many festivals held in the Festival State. Jemadu Vincent, Deputy Director of the International Campaign for American tourists and the Pacific Region, Ministry of Tourism and Economic Creative said that INDOfest 2012 was the best Indonesian event held outside of Indonesia.
As usual, this event was full of cultural entertainment. This year, the Adelaide Indonesia Angklung Orchestra performed a suite of Indonesian, English and Mandarin songs. They also asked the audience to join in and together, made music with this traditional bamboo instrument. This was a very exciting experience for many of the of people who joined in.
There was also a special performance from SMP Bakti Mulya, who came over especially for Indofest from Jakarta. Their Aceh sitting dance, which requires paramount precision, received a big ovation from the appreciative audience.
Reog Ponorogo and Kuda Lumping groups received great attention too, as they paraded around the park lands. A lot of people followed them with cameras at the ready to get the best pictures of their colourful and unique costumes.
The musical group called the Indonesia Band, or iband sang many popular songs which had e the audience dancing and singing along in front of the stage. There were many other dancers and performers during this one day event. I was happy to see everybody having so much fun and enjoying themselves to the rhythms, sights, tastes and experiences of Indonesia.
Then there was the one thing that always draws people to this fabulous event...Yes, it's food! With the variety of dishes from many Indonesian regions available, it makes it difficult for anyone to decide what they should choose. After checking all the food stalls, finally I decided to have rice with chicken in Sumateran green chili sauce from Warung Padang for lunch. It was really nice.
Overall, this was a very successful event and I am looking forward to INDOfest 2013.
There was also a special performance from SMP Bakti Mulya, who came over especially for Indofest from Jakarta. Their Aceh sitting dance, which requires paramount precision, received a big ovation from the appreciative audience.
Reog Ponorogo and Kuda Lumping groups received great attention too, as they paraded around the park lands. A lot of people followed them with cameras at the ready to get the best pictures of their colourful and unique costumes.
The musical group called the Indonesia Band, or iband sang many popular songs which had e the audience dancing and singing along in front of the stage. There were many other dancers and performers during this one day event. I was happy to see everybody having so much fun and enjoying themselves to the rhythms, sights, tastes and experiences of Indonesia.
Then there was the one thing that always draws people to this fabulous event...Yes, it's food! With the variety of dishes from many Indonesian regions available, it makes it difficult for anyone to decide what they should choose. After checking all the food stalls, finally I decided to have rice with chicken in Sumateran green chili sauce from Warung Padang for lunch. It was really nice.
Overall, this was a very successful event and I am looking forward to INDOfest 2013.
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