“Red Earth, Rising Flame” — The 15th Indonesian Cultural Festival Kicks Off Grandly in 2025-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The 15th Tainan Indonesian Cultural Festival, organized by PPI Tainan (Indonesian Students Association in Tainan), will kick off on November 15! This year’s theme, “Red Earth, Rising Flame,” spotlights Aceh’s legendary heroine Cut Nyak Dhien and links exhibitions, workshops, and a gala night musical to showcase Indonesia’s rich diversity from Aceh to Nusa Tenggara. Activities include traditional dance, music, fashion shows, and a wide variety of Indonesian food stalls, aiming to promote understanding and cultural exchange between students, faculty, and the wider public. Students and guests from various countries are invited to participate, reflecting a spirit of multicultural integration. The entire event is free and open to the public, welcoming Taiwanese society and international friends to experience Indonesia’s passion, arts, and flavors. All interested faculty and students are encouraged to join.

The Tainan Indonesian Cultural Festival is the largest Indonesian cultural event in Taiwan. The organizer, PPI Tainan, is a nonprofit student association formed by Indonesian students studying in Tainan. Since its founding, it has adhered to the principle of “sharing culture and being open to society.” The festival is free of charge, with all resources relying entirely on corporate and institutional sponsorships, as well as support from the university and society. The organizers especially express gratitude to all sponsors for their generosity, enabling more people to experience the depth and beauty of Indonesian culture at no cost.

Chuang-Yu Yang (楊創宇), President of PPI Tainan, stated that it is truly a miracle that the festival continues every year despite the large budget and long preparation period. This miracle comes from the mutual support among Indonesian students in Tainan, as well as the dedication of countless volunteers and partners. Yang thanked everyone who has walked alongside them, allowing Indonesia’s stories to continue shining in Tainan.

The organizers also extended special thanks to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) for its long-term support, particularly the Office of International Affairs (OIA), which has provided timely and comprehensive assistance since the founding of PPI Tainan—from venues and administration to communication and coordination. For international students far from home, having a fully supportive university is invaluable, and the Tainan Indonesian Cultural Festival has grown into an important platform for Taiwan–Indonesia cultural exchange under this trust.

Founded in 2010, the Tainan Indonesian Cultural Festival is the most representative annual cultural event for Indonesian students and communities in Taiwan. Participation has steadily increased over the years, with the 2025 festival aiming to attract over 2,500 attendees, including Indonesian students and diaspora in Taiwan, local Taiwanese, international students, and friends from around the world. Although the festival was suspended in 2021 due to the pandemic, it has otherwise continued to expand its impact annually. Currently, PPI Tainan has over 1,000 student members (1,082 as of 2024), forming an important youth network for cross-cultural exchange.

The 15th festival is divided into two main segments: the cultural exhibition and food market, and the gala night performance. The cultural exhibition and food market will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Student Activity Center, Building 1, Guangfu Campus, NCKU. Highlights include a large-scale cultural exhibition, interactive workshops, and Taiwan’s largest Indonesian food market. The exhibition showcases clothing, artifacts, scripts, and historical perspectives, providing a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s multiethnic civilizations. Interactive workshops offer batik dyeing, traditional crafts, and small-scale live performances. The food market features over 80 authentic dishes, representing flavors from Sabang to Merauke.

The gala night performance will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Chenggong Hall, 1st Floor, Guangfu Campus, NCKU. The evening will feature a variety of performances including a musical, choir, and dance. The original Indonesian musical recounts Cut Nyak Dhien’s struggle and beliefs, blending drama, group dance, choir, and multimedia projections to embody the spirit of “Red Earth, Rising Flame.” Multi-part choral arrangements, live bands, and traditional rhythmic elements create an immersive Southeast Asian theater experience. All scripts, choreography, visual concepts, and stage designs are original creations by the PPI Tainan team. Nearly 200 committee members and performers—all volunteers—bring passion and professionalism to the stage.


Event Information (At a Glance)
Event Name: Indonesian Cultural Day (ICD) 2025
Theme: “The Legend of Cut Nyak Dhien: Red Earth, Rising Flame”
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Venue 1 | Daytime: Student Activity Center, Building 1, Guangfu Campus, NCKU | 09:00–16:00
Venue 2 | Gala Night: Chenggong Hall, 1st Floor, Guangfu Campus, NCKU | 18:00–21:00 (Admission from 17:30)
Admission: Free entry (FREE ENTRY)
Organizer: Indonesian Students Association in Tainan / PPI Tainan (Nonprofit, NGO)
Social Media: Instagram @icd_ppitainan | @ppi_tainan
Email: ppitainan.comm@gmail.com