Away We Go

Between the shores and the sea of Belitung

A brief escape to this island off the eastern coast of Sumatra has the power to bring out the island girl in a city dweller.

Arts

Punches to punchlines: A chat with Sakdiyah Ma’ruf

The hijabi stand-up comedian who tackles everything from conservatism to climate crisis talks about using punchlines to uplift the downtrodden and the oppressed.

Arts

Sal Priadi is in the Mood for Love

The multifaceted artist’s sophomore album, ‘Markers And Such Pens Flashdisks’, is a romantic waltz between sweetness and strangeness

The Neighborhood

Stations, stops and superlatives: Public transport destinations in Jakarta worth exploring

While being stuck in a car for hours on end is perhaps a quintessential part of the Jakarta experience, few things will allow you to truly get to know the city better than taking public transportation around the “Big Durian”.

Arts

Beyond elasticity: History, economics intersect in rubber art

The seeds of rubber’s history in Indonesia took root when the first tree was planted in 1864 at the Bogor Botanical Gardens. Nearly two centuries later, artists in the world’s second-largest producer of natural rubber are exploring the colonial commodity’s role in shaping the decolonization narrative through their works.

Arts

Belief in regeneration: Teater Keliling preserves dramatic arts for half a century

Founded in 1974, Teater Keliling is a prolific group of theatrical artists that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a fresh, musical reinterpretation of the classic play Mega Mega by Arifin C. Noer.

Arts

A whole new world: Desmonda Cathabel’s journey from Jakarta to the West End

Her journey from musical-theater fan to the biggest stages in the world almost feels like a Disney tale of passion, perseverance and a bit of magic.

Culture and Entertainment

Highlighting LGBTQ representation in pop culture

The series was well-received by Indonesia’s LGBT communities. CONQ’s tagline was “The Voice of Indonesia’s Gay and Lesbian Community.” Rest in peace, gone, silenced, but never forgotten.

The Neighborhood

Kick-start your summer: Five events to attend in June

As we bid adieu to May, we welcome a slew of events that scream “Summer!” 

Culture and Entertainment

Dear Taylor: Look what you made us do

The American singer-songwriter’s greatest power is her ability to unite people across all walks of life to create a global community, which also translates into a real-life economic impact, whether on nations or small businesses.

Arts

Deconstructing Nicholas Saputra

In his latest film, The Architecture of Love, the iconic actor charts new territory as he shows that growth is a thespian's greatest asset.

Culture and Entertainment

Must-see homegrown silver-screen adaptations

Yes, we’re well aware of the issues with screen adaptations of literary masterpieces. And yes, some really good reads have been massacred on screen, whether because of the artistic liberties taken, the stars cast or even the way the scenes fail to live up to your imagination. But when they work, they REALLY work.

Culture and Entertainment

‘A Space For The Unbound’: Trailblazing with cultural identity

The critically acclaimed Indonesian adventure video game gains global acclaim by delivering a deeply compelling narrative

The Neighborhood

Jakarta Highlights: Where to go for a pop of culture

Our beloved Jakarta is a city that has a little something for everyone, isn’t it? Whether you like big bashes or intimate gatherings, the city is bustling with celebrations, making sure there is a platform for subcultures of any kind.

Culture and Entertainment

To my horror, it’s just a movie!

The upsurge of horror movies shown in the theaters in Indonesia makes one wonder: how is the Indonesian audience being molded by film producers? Or is it the other way around, with the audience dictating the film market?