Student Society Organised a Bazaar to Share Indonesian Culture
A deep dive into Indonesia Day’s cultural bazaar.
Last Saturday, we had the chance to step into a cultural corner of the city—a bazaar organised by the Indonesian Student Association in Groningen (PPI Groningen) as part of Indonesian Day. This year's theme is "Once Upon a Time in Nusantara”, and the event showcased the authentic beauty and diversity of Indonesia to the Groningen community. The day was filled with cultural activities, from traditional performances and modern songs to workshops, food, and much more.
We arrived a little after the opening, but the organisers had thoughtfully set up a live stream of the real-time activities on their Instagram page. I sneaked a peek at the opening speech, the Indonesian national anthem, and a series of performances by children in traditional costumes.
Entering the bazaar was like being transported from the quiet streets of Groningen to a bustling market. Outdoor stalls featured traditional and modern activities, workshops, and a variety of fresh food and drink. My friend and I were immediately overwhelmed with the options, so we decided to walk around and absorb the atmosphere before picking an activity.
Inside, two halls housed a stage and more stalls. The first stall we visited displayed interesting wood watches from an Indonesian company that makes jewellery, accessories, and even furniture from recycled plastic. The founder was incredibly friendly and accommodating. Next to it was an exhibition of artwork by artists with autism, featuring charming illustrations and animations.
We had pleasant conversations with the people running the stall and learned about their inspiring work. Many of them felt a close connection within the community that PPI Groningen created and wanted to contribute, while also meeting new people to support their ventures. There was also a charity booth selling merchandise and spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, with students volunteering for the occasion.
“We have an established organisation with many people here. If you want to meet other Indonesians, you join a society, and then you will meet and be friends with everyone,” said a guy selling snacks, whom we instantly befriended.
I later tried my hand at tie-dye, which, while not the most traditional craft, was enjoyable, and the final product was cute. We also learned how to fold paper cranes, which was fun and perfectly timed with the sun coming out, livening up the bazaar with energetic vibes.
The personal and welcoming nature of the event stood out. Many of the staff running the stalls were students, eager to help and enjoy the day. It felt like a celebration of culture away from home that they wanted to share with others.
“This event is in its 20th year, having started in the early 2000s. We aim for great representation, involving not only bachelor’s students but also master’s, PhD researchers, and members of the diaspora. There are approximately 60 people involved in organising Indonesian Day,” said Galih, Vice President of PPI Groningen, “It’s a great way for the community to get to know one another, and to showcase our association and the Indonesian community to the wider international community and local residents. We invite our general members to showcase the parts of Indonesian culture they resonate with the most, providing them a platform for their talent. It’s a balance that works well for us.”
The most abundant feature of the bazaar was definitely the food. We estimated that two-thirds of the stalls were filled with diverse meals and snacks, from sweet to savoury. The smells of spices and meat wafted through the air, sometimes tickling my throat and making me cough. I wasn’t alone—everyone was coughing too, which I guess only adds to the authenticity of a street bazaar. Though that didn’t last long, and soon we were sampling the goods.
I confess that I am weak, and avoided the spicier dishes, but my friend handled them like a champ. The girls who cooked the dish, which we later learned was Seblak, commented that it was their go-to period meal, as the spice distracted them from abdominal pain. You learn something new every day, and I might reluctantly give it a try at some point.
The day wrapped up with a few performances of traditional music and modern songs that the crowd sang along to. Despite a muffled microphone (the venue did them dirty), there were no other hiccups that we noticed.
To conclude, here are some thoughts my friend and I discussed, summarising our personal experiences:
“I don’t have a lot of connections with people from Asia, so this was fully new for me. I liked how accessible everything was and how willing they were to talk about the elements they were organising and the parts they were involved in.”
“It was great to see so many Indonesian people in one place, celebrating their culture, networking, and having fun. They were very warm and welcoming, ready to explain all about their culture. I felt very inspired to learn more and explore different workshops, performances, and live music. It was just a small introduction to the culture, but I’m excited to join future events.”
The bazaar was a great success with over 300 people in attendance. But if you could not attend the bazaar, fear not as PPI Groningen has another event planned on June 1st. Check out the links and information below to attend and experience the Gala Dinner, where a three-course Indonesian meal will be provided along with a cultural performance. This year's performance centres around the legacy of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a Javanese woman who pioneered women's rights and emancipation during colonial-era Indonesia.
Instagram: @ppigroningen and @indonesian.day
Website: www.ppigroningen.or.id and www.indonesianday.nl
Email: info@ppigroningen.or.id and indonesianday.ppig@gmail.com
Tickets: bit.ly/TicketID2024