A vibrant cultural showcase unfolded at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on July 17, featuring Indonesian and Thai dancers in elaborate costumes and headdresses. Teh performance commemorated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand.
The event opened with the Blessing Dance,a creation of the Thai Culture ministry’s Performing Arts and Fine Arts Department. Dancers moved with grace to a blend of Thai music and Javanese melodies, symbolizing the strong cultural connections between the two nations. Each dancer held a fan, a prop meant to ward off misfortune and invite peace and prosperity for both countries.
Following this, the atmosphere shifted with the introduction of a distinct Balinese tune. The air filled with the aroma of incense as five additional dancers emerged from the audience, carrying bowls of flowers and incense, and joined the performance on stage.
This second piece was Puspa blooms (“Blossoming Flower”), a welcoming dance choreographed in 1982 by Guruh Sukarnoputra, son of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno, in collaboration with renowned Balinese dance master Anak Agung Gede Oka Dalem from Puri Kaleran Peliatan Ubud. The dance conveys deep gratitude and a warm welcome to distinguished guests.
Cultural exchange: Deputy Culture Minister Giring Ganesha (right) poses with Thai Vice Minister Ploy Tanikul during a cultural event on July 17, 2025, to celebrate the two countries’ 75 years of diplomatic ties, in Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.
(Culture Minister/-)
Celebrating a Milestone in Bilateral Relations
The joint performance celebrated a significant milestone: 75 years of official diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Thailand, established on March 7, 1950. However, the historical connections between the two countries extend much further back, tracing roots to the srivijaya era in the eighth century. Further historical links include the visits of King Chulalongkorn to Java in 1871,1896,and 1901.