Jakarta, IO – Kalya Mahiya Pravina took part in a Cultural Exchange Program Japan in Akita, Japan, motivated by a desire to learn more about Indonesian culture and offer it to the world. Kiny Cultura Indonesia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Government of Japan collaborated on this activity, which was attended by 15 Indonesian elementary and junior high school students over the course of nine days.
“I am truly glad and grateful to take part in this Akita Cultural Exchange,” expressed Kalya, during an interview with the Independent Observer on May 6, 2024.
During her cultural exchange in Japan, Kalya engaged in many activities. “I learned about Japanese cultural heritage, learned about Katana, then took the Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) classes, also learned Taiko drums, and even learned snowboarding,” recounted the teenager, who was born on October 1, 2009.
Apart from the various activities, Kalya gained numerous benefits from this cultural exchange program. “I expanded my horizons and improved my Japanese language skills because I had direct interaction with the local community. I also enjoyed authentic Japanese cuisine, explored Japan’s natural environments, and visited a country that is safe and friendly for pedestrians,” said the 9th-grade student from Al Izhar Pondok Labu Junior High School in Jakarta.
Kalya was glad for the opportunity that was presented to her, as it allowed her to introduce Indonesian culture to Japanese children and teenagers, particularly Indonesian traditional dances. “I had the opportunity to teach my Japanese friends the basics of Acehnese dance, and they turned out to be so excited about it,” said Kalya.
Kalya is expected to join more cultural exchange programs in different countries, such as the United States of America and European countries, in the future.
Kiki Puspita, the director of Kiny Cultura Indonesia, explained that the cultural program inculcates Indonesian children with aspects of their own culture which they rarely know about, nowadays. “Children and teenagers joining the cultural exchange program must first learn about their own country’s cultures, and also those of other countries, as culture is the spearhead and identity of the nation. So Indonesian children must know their identity,” explained Kiki.
“We work with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia to teach Indonesian culture, such as the many languages of Indonesia and Indonesian traditional dances in Indonesia. This cultural exchange program allows children to understand where they come from. Children nowadays know more about Korean pop, Harajuku, without knowing their own culture. So before knowing the culture of other countries, children must know about Indonesian culture itself,” said Kiki. “So children learn their own culture in a fun way,” he continued.
Indonesian children also learn about Japanese culture. “Children learn about the culture and positive values of Japanese society, such as politeness, punctuality, and work ethic. They also learn the Japanese language and directly practice it through interaction with the local community,” said Kiki.
Read: Not A Heatwave, Withering Weather In Indonesia To Last Until August, Says BMKG
“Kalya went to Japan, bringing Indonesian culture. Kalya taught Japanese children to dance traditional Indonesian dances. These Japanese children were very happy to learn this dance. What Kalya did is one form of appreciation and love for her own culture; this culture must be promoted,” Kiki concluded.
Kiny Cultura Indonesia has conducted cultural exchange programs in many countries in Asia, including Japan and Singapore, New Zealand in Oceania, and European and American countries such as the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States.
Kiki hopes that this cultural exchange program will nurture Indonesian children who love their own culture. “They become global children but still have the identity of an Indonesian,” concluded Kiki Puspita Sari. (des)
