OSAKA, Japan — Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid spearheaded Indonesia’s ambitious cultural showcase at the World Expo 2025, unveiling a groundbreaking performance that demonstrates how ancient wisdom can thrive in the digital age.
The centerpiece presentation, titled JIWA (Journey into Indonesia’s Wisdom & Arts), premiered August 13 at the Indonesia Pavilion as part of the nation’s Independence Day commemoration and broader strategy to position Indonesian culture within global digital discourse.
Drawing from the lived experiences of the Kasepuhan Gelar Alam indigenous community, JIWA explores how traditional societies have successfully integrated modern communication tools—including bamboo-based broadcasting towers, community television networks, and internet connectivity—while maintaining their cultural integrity and strengthening social bonds.
“Through JIWA, we want to convey the message that technological advancement doesn’t have to pull us away from our cultural roots. In fact, digitalization can become a bridge that brings our ancestral heritage to the global stage,” Hafid declared during Wednesday’s launch.
The multimedia presentation weaves together indigenous music traditions, ceremonial dance forms, and cutting-edge digital projections to create an immersive narrative exploring cultural continuity amid rapid technological change. Rather than viewing modernization as a threat to tradition, JIWA positions technology as an amplifier of cultural values and community connections.
Audiences experienced JIWA during four scheduled performances: August 13 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and August 14 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., all in local Osaka time.
The performance unfolds within Indonesia’s pavilion, which operates under the unifying concept “Thriving in Harmony: Nature, Culture, Future”—a philosophy emphasizing sustainable development through environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and forward-thinking innovation.
Indonesia’s World Expo presence has generated significant international interest, with visitor numbers reaching 1,875,788 as of August 12—representing 67% progress toward the pavilion’s 2.8 million visitor goal. The pavilion achieved a milestone on the same date, recording its highest single-day attendance of 29,848 visitors.
Beyond cultural programming, the Indonesian pavilion functions as a comprehensive platform for economic engagement, highlighting investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture, environmental technology, creative industries, and tourism development. With 161 nations participating in the Osaka expo, Indonesia’s approach combines cultural storytelling with business development.
JIWA exemplifies Indonesia’s evolving approach to international engagement—one that leverages digital platforms not to replace traditional culture, but to create new pathways for global cultural exchange while celebrating the nation’s 80th year of independence on an international stage.
