RITUS NEGERI CELENG DANCE SHOWCASE

RITUS NEGERI CELENG DANCE SHOWCASE

For the second time after 2023, on May 15th, 2025, Wisma Jerman collaborated with the acclaimed Surabaya dance group “Dimar Dance Theater” (DDT) for a bold and outstanding dance performance that mixed traditional Javanese folk art with contemporary influences. The magnificent Gedung Kesenian Cak Durasim, located in Taman Budaya (culture park) and under the management of the East Java provincial government served as a fitting venue for the event. The beautiful auditorium, with a capacity of 450 seats, was almost filled to the brink with people that had come to enjoy this memorable event and witness a mesmerizing dance performance.

A terrific act by a group of dancers from SMKN 12 Surabaya marked the opening of the event. The piece titled “BRANJANG KAWAT” showcased traditional Javanese movements and imaginative costumes and perfectly set the stage for the performance by Dimar Dance.

After the opening act, Mr. Mike Neuber, Director of Wisma Jerman, welcomed the guests with some short opening remarks which were then followed by the main event “RITUS NEGERI CELENG”.

The group of 10 professional dancers aged between 18 and 25 demonstrated a splendid mixture between movements from the traditional East Javanese Jaranan dance, modern dance elements and comical slapstick theatre. “RITUS NEGERI CELENG” is a contemporary dance work that combines elements of traditional East Javanese art with the influence of contemporary European art, in particular from Germany.

The performance conveys a social critique of human behaviours such as greed, selfishness, and indifference toward the environment and others. The celeng, which is Javanese for wild boar or pig, acts as a symbol in ‘Ritus Negeri Celeng’ for everything and everyone that carries a “bad label” in the perception of most humans. By using expressions like “dirty or greedy pig” we label them with negative attributes without considering other aspects and behaviours like their deeply developed ties among family members. Humans on the other hand with their urge for progress destroy nature and with it the habitats of many animals, incl. the celeng. “Ritus Negeri Celeng” dares to challenge the viewers and asks questions like “Who is actually the bad guy?” and “Who is truly savage and consumes blindly?”. It aims to invite the audience to introspect and reflect on their attitude towards the environment and fellow humans.

With breathtaking acrobatics, comedic expression and a knack for when to be serious and when to let loose, the team around Dian Bokir and Martina Feiertag successfully delivered its message and captured the undivided attention of the audience. It was a bold and unique performance which was welcomed with great enthusiasm by everyone present.

The day before the performance, on May 14th, 2025, DDT had already offered a dance workshop in the late afternoon. The program featured a class in “German Contemporary Dance” by Dian Bokir and Martina Feiertag. 20 people were excited to learn about the basics of contemporary dance with the help of DDT.

Both events were organized in collaboration with the Cultural and Tourism Department of East Java Province, supported by UPTD Taman Budaya Jawa Timur, SMKN 12 Surabaya and KLIK FM as a media partner. We would like to thank them for their support and express our gratitude to everyone who participated. We look forward to welcoming you again at our next event.