Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Connect residency concludes in Yogyakarta

The Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Connect (IPCC) 2026 residency program concluded in Yogyakarta, aiming to strengthen cultural ties between Indonesia and Pacific Island nations. Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon expressed hope that participating artists would serve as cultural ambassadors for Indonesia in their respective home countries.

Fadli Zon highlighted the deep historical and geographical connections between Indonesia and the Pacific region, noting that parts of Indonesia, such as Papua, Maluku, and Nusa Tenggara Timur, share ancestral roots with Pacific populations. The program seeks to build long-term artistic networks rather than just temporary collaborations.

The residency featured artists from eight nations, including Fiji, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu. Participants engaged in collaborative projects involving traditional music, dance, and crafts, such as using Javanese gamelan instruments and transforming coconut shells and bamboo into economic art products. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Works of Wonder (WoW) Indonesia, Dana Indonesia Raya, and LPDP.