Batam elevates Malay arts and culture on international stage

Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Batam City in the Riau Islands is strengthening its position as a gateway to Malay culture by hosting the Kenduri Seni Melayu (KSM) arts festival, bringing together participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand.

"We expect KSM to strengthen Batam's position as a gateway for cultural tourism and introduce Malay identity and culture to the international community," Head of the Batam Municipal Tourism and Culture Office Ardiwinata said here on Saturday.

He said the festival, held from July 3 to July 5, 2026, features around 60 artistic performances and cultural activities presented by Indonesian art groups as well as participants from the other participating countries.

The festival also includes demonstrations of Malay martial arts, batik-making workshops, and performances of the Jogi dance, one of Batam's intangible cultural heritage traditions.

Among the featured performers are Malaysian singer Roslan Madun and Indonesian dance maestro Didik Nini Thowok, who is making his first appearance at the Kenduri Seni Melayu festival.

"We hope this event inspires and encourages more academics and artists to become actively involved in preserving and promoting Malay culture," Ardiwinata said, inviting participants to learn directly from the renowned maestro.

He added that the festival has been included in the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program, underscoring its significance as one of Indonesia's premier tourism events.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy for Event Development at Indonesia's Tourism Ministry, Hafiz Agung Rifai, said the inclusion of the festival in this year's KEN calendar highlights Batam's strategic role in promoting Indonesia's cultural heritage.

"Batam holds a strategic position as one of Indonesia's main tourism gateways, with direct access to neighboring countries. Kenduri Seni Melayu is not merely an artistic celebration but also a platform for introducing Malay identity to the world," he said.

Meanwhile, Meimei, a participant from Malaysia and head of a dance studio based in Sabah, said she was delighted to take part in the festival, marking her first performance in Batam.

"Sabah is represented at Kenduri Seni Melayu in Batam. We are performing the Zapin dance, which we usually present at major events in Malaysia, together with eight of our best dancers," she said.

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Translator: Amandine Nadja, Nabil Ihsan

Editor: Primayanti

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