Student Cultural Performance at YPJ Tembagapura Supports Cultural Preservation and Exchange
Mimika, May 31, 2026 – Hundreds of students from Yayasan Pendidikan Jayawijaya (YPJ) Tembagapura Elementary School showcased Indonesian cultural performances as an effort to appreciate the nation’s rich traditions and foster pride in its diversity.
“This cultural performance is presented in a highly symbolic form, from traditional costumes and attributes to the harmonization of musical instruments and regional song lyrics, all expressing our love for Indonesia’s cultural heritage,” said YPJ Elementary School Principal Maria Easter Lusiana at the Sport Hall Building in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on Friday, May 29, 2026.
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She explained that the children performed in a show combining regional songs and dances from across the archipelago. The blend of dances and songs from eight regions—Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua—created an atmosphere of unity in diversity.
A fourth-grade student, Zergio (10), expressed his excitement after performing the “Ksatria Dance,” a creative piece from Swargaloka. The dance embodies noble moral values and emphasizes the spirit of life in nationhood through determination, affirming that we hold control over our own lives.
“In addition to practicing dance, my friends and I also had to learn about Javanese customs, culture, and traditions. We practiced hard together in class, so I was very enthusiastic to perform,” said Zergio, who is also a recipient of the Tomawin education scholarship from PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).
The cultural performance is an annual event aimed at showcasing art and creativity, allowing students to express ideas, hone their talents, and build self-confidence through arts and culture.
Easter added that this event also reinforces the eight dimensions of the graduate profile in the Merdeka Curriculum. Creativity, collaboration, communication, and independence develop naturally through the process of creating and performing. At the same time, critical thinking is sharpened as students design concepts and understand the cultural meanings behind their performances.
A parent, David Bettay, who attended the event, expressed his admiration for the students who diligently learned the arts and cultures of other regions, went through training, worked as a team, and had the courage to perform in public.
“This cultural performance teaches children to take responsibility for their roles, to be brave in trying, and most importantly, to play a part in preserving it. The diversity of Indonesia’s arts and culture must be maintained,” said David.
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