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iving up to its name, Enchanting Indonesia awed more than 4,000 visitors during its two-day showcase of cultural heritage from over 15 Indonesian provinces. The event at Ngee Ann City (Orchard) Singapore was a mini Indonesia in itself, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore and supported by more than 1,000 delegates from the participating provinces as well as numerous companies and related entities.

Despite a shower along Orchard Road, locals and tourists alike were not deterred from watching the reog dance that was showcased as the starting performance. Many were startled by the ability of the dancers to don a 60-kilogram mask in the shape of a barong, and could not believe their own eyes looking at the stunts performed.

And that was only the start. More visitors flocked to the venue to satisfy their curiosity about what Indonesia has to offer. On the stage venue, everything came alive for them. The unique saman dance, known as the 1,000 hands dance from Aceh, the piring dance, the rancak gendang drum ensemble and many others were part of the non-stop performances, virtually bringing everybody to the Indonesian archipelago.

Augustine, a visitor from France, said his curiosity had not yet been sated, but was very fortunate to have everything presented by friendly delegates stationed at various booths. Next for him is a visit Indonesia to see and experience everything himself. Another visitor, Svan from Moldova, fell in love with Indonesian cuisine after trying gudeg Jogja at one of the food and beverage booth.

The highlight of this year’s Enchanting Indonesia was the Cultural Evening. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, charge d’affaires of the Indonesian Embassy, remarked that Enchanting Indonesia offered Singaporean tourists a whole new exciting experience. This was seconded by the guests of honor, Trioyono Wiboyo, Deputy of Foreign Minister of Indonesia and Halimah Yacoob, Singapore’s Minister of State for Community Development, Youths and Sports. Yacoob acknowledged that Indonesia had an astonishingly rich cultural heritage, which serves as an instrumental aspect in establishing Southeast Asia as a world-class tourist destination.

On the second day, there were even more interactive performances. Many visitors came on stage to dance accompanied by the traditional band equipped with traditional instruments ranging from angklung, gamelan and kulintang. They were completely enthused and shook their bodies and started to dangdut along.

The final performance was an interactive angklung orchestra that amazed everybody. Over 600 angklung were distributed for visitors to join in playing various songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Kapan-Kapan”. The angklung were then given as souvenirs as one of the very first Indonesian hospitality gestures to potential tourists.

The article is written by Indonesian Students’ Association in Singapore (PPI Singapore). Their activities can be checked at www.ppisingapura.org.