IWDF 2026: Rano Karno Pushes Jakarta to Become a Global Cultural Hub

Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno officially opened the Indonesia World Dance Festival (IWDF) 2026 at Pos Bloc Jakarta, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Saturday (5/30).

I offer my full support to the many dance ateliers across Jakarta

Hosted by the Jakarta Cultural Agency, this event marks World Dance Day and represents a strategic step toward Jakarta’s 500th anniversary, reinforcing its vision as a global city.

IWDF 2026 hosts various activities involving local and foreign dance performers, with 88 participating groups including dance studios, communities, and educational institutions.

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Aside that, the dance battle competition has drawn 13 finalists from diverse locales, such as Central Papua, North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, Banten, and Jakarta.

The festival’s lineup is further enriched by 155 attendees of the solo mask dance workshop, as well as dance-focused influencers and content creators from various parts of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Nusantara Dance Festival segment showcases approximately 1,200 dancers representing 14 provinces, namely Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, Banten, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, Central Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, Southeast Sulawesi, North Maluku, and Papua. Notably, the event has also attracted international participation from South Korea.

The festivities were graced by a diverse spectrum of cultural representatives, encompassing cultural scholars, dance maestros, and preservationists, alongside professional dancers across generations and genres, and musicians acting as both entertainers and adjudicators.

Rano emphasized that Jakarta is consistently bolstering its global position through strategic cultural and creative economy agendas.

"Jakarta has been officially commissioned to spearhead a remarkable international initiative in Tokyo this October. Coupled with upcoming UNESCO programs, we are set to emerge as the primary epicenter for culture and the creative economy in 2027," he continued.

Rano conveyed that the festival is not solely aimed at competition, but rather functions as a space for creative liberation and celebration for the dance community.

"I offer my full support to the many dance ateliers across Jakarta. No matter their form, without a stage for expression, our cultivation efforts become futile. That is the core purpose of this event," he remarked.

He asserted that Jakarta’s trajectory toward becoming a global city is evidenced by its improved position in world city rankings. He expressed confidence that this trajectory will maintain its upward momentum as the city continues to bolster its infrastructure and cultural foundations.

"By God's grace, Jakarta’s standing within the Global City Index has progressed from 74th to 71st during our administration. I harbor great confidence that this index will see even further advancement. This optimism is reinforced by Jakarta's recent designation as the second safest city in Asia, underscoring the active role of our citizens in maintaining order. It is this spirit of community stewardship that gave rise to our ‘Jaga Jakarta’ tagline," he revealed.

Meanwhile, IWDF 2026 Organizing Committee Chairperson, Rosmala Sari Dewi, explained that the festival emerged from a reflection on Indonesia’s profound dance heritage and the pressing need for broader collaborative spaces for regional dance practitioners.

"The impetus for establishing the IWDF sprang from an introspection into the richness of dance traditions spanning every corner of Indonesia. We perceived a palpable demand among local studios and art communities for a global dance platform characterized by comprehensiveness, sustainability, and an unwavering commitment to the festival’s mission," she remarked

She conveyed that the event is intended to function as both a capacity-enhancing platform and a catalyst in bolstering Jakarta’s position as a global city and a world-class center of creativity.

Rosmala emphasized the Jakarta government’s vision: that dance should transcend cultural preservation to become a strategic diplomatic instrument. Such a role would showcase Indonesia's vast heritage to the international community while solidifying Jakarta’s reputation as a culture-based global city.

"Moreover, this aligns with the historic momentum of Jakarta’s upcoming quincentenary. The capital has extended its full patronage to us in establishing this ideal sanctuary for the arts," she stated.