PT Freeport Indonesia

Jayawijaya Education Foundation Elementary School (SD YPJ) Tembagapura Students Stage Cultural Performance In Support of Cultural Conservation and Exchange

31 May 2026

Mimika, 31 May 2026 – Hundreds of students from Jayawijaya Education Foundation Elementary School (SD YPJ) in Tembagapura staged an Indonesian cultural performance in an endeavor to boost love and appreciation for the nation’s cultural traditions and to generate pride over its diversity.

“This cultural performance demonstrate exceptional symbolism, as shown in the attire of customary costumes and display of accessories and decorations, to the presentation of instrumental music and lyrics from the nation’s regions, all expressing our love for Indonesia’s cultural wealth,” SD YPJ Principal, Maria Easter Lusiana stated at the venue located in Tembagapura Sport Hall in Mimika Regency, Central Papua on Friday, 29 May 2026.

She described how the children presented a performance combining folk songs with traditional dances from regions across the nation. This fusion of dances and songs originating from eight ethnic groups from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua blended into an ambience of unity in diversity.

An SD YPJ Grade 4 student, Zergio (10) brimmed with joy after performing in a Warrior Dance that is a creation by Swargaloka. This dance depicts noble moral values abounding with a life spirit for nationalism through expression of valor, indicating we have control over our own lives.

“In addition to learning and rehearsing for the dance, my friends and I had to study the customs, culture and traditions of the Javanese ethnic group. Previously in class, we had practiced energetically, so I was really keen and excited to perform the dance,” enthused Zergio, who is a recipient of a Tomawin scholarship from PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).

A cultural performance is staged every year to present arts and creativity and allow students to express ideas, hone their talents, and develop self-confidence through the arts and culture.

Easter clarified, the cultural performance serves to reinforce eight profile dimensions of graduates of the Merdeka or Independent Curriculum. The students’ creativity, collaboration, communication, and independence and self-reliance flourished naturally during the production and execution of this stage performance. Meanwhile, their critical perception and comprehension were enhanced and polished in the conceptualization and comprehension of the cultural significance.

One parent, David Bettay, highly commended and lauded the students on their passion and enthusiasm to learn about the arts and culture of ethnic groups from other regions, and for how they energetically practiced and engaged in teamwork, leading to the courage to perform before the public.

“This cultural performance has taught the children to assume responsibility for their role, they gained courage to attempt the task, and above all, they have acquired a role to continue the legacy. We are under an obligation to continue and preserve the arts and culture of Indonesia,” David attested.

PHOTO	CAPTION
	Zergio (pictured upper right rear), who is also a recipient of a Tomawin scholarship from PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), performing in the Warrior Dance during the 2026 Cultural Stage Performance.
	The 2026 Cultural Stage Performance held at the Tembagapura Sports Hall in Mimika Regency, Central Papua (29/05) presented a synthesis of regional folk songs and traditional dances.
	The cultural stage performance is an annual YPJ Tembagapura event featuring the presentation of arts and creativity, allowing students to develop and express ideas, hone their talents, and acquire self-confidence.
	Creativity, collaboration, communication, independence, and self-reliance are developed naturally during the production and presentation of this cultural performance.
	The stage performance presenting a synthesis of songs and dances from eight ethnic groups in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua melded into an ambiance of unity in diversity.