The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has recently refurbished Balai Budaya, its Cultural Centre, on the Embassy grounds at Yarralumla and has developed a one hour facilitated educational tour. Students can now experience a unique, 'hands on' program… and it's free! All age levels and subject areas are welcome.
What then would a class experience ?
The interactive journey begins when you pass through the gates of our replica Balinese Hindu temple and meet your tour guide. Visitors have now officially left Australia and are on Indonesian territory. Students dress in traditional sarongs and then enter the land and people section of the Centre. Some student volunteers can dress in traditional costumes from various Indonesian provinces and students will locate these areas on our large wall map. They will also learn about the diverse wildlife of this equatorial archipelago.
Our resident puppeteer and musician will then lead students into a darkened Indonesian village complete with appropriate village sights and sounds. The class then selects its own puppeteers who perform for their class a short shadow puppet play with an Australian flavour and some spectacular fight scenes!
Ever wanted to play Waltzing Matilda on an instrument dating back over two thousand years? Your class volunteers will do this and more. After watching our expert play various gamelan instruments, selected students will then demonstrate their newly acquired skills for their classmates.
Then it’s off to see the bedroom of an Indonesian teenager in 2002. What music do they listen to? What does their school uniform look like? Are Indonesian teenagers just like Aussie teenagers? We then learn about Indonesia's delicious food and try some snacks from a traditional food stall. At the conclusion of the tour, teachers will be given class resource packs.
We also offer specialized workshops led by Indonesian experts on a range of topics covering most subject areas, including cooking, dance, Indonesian language, creative writing and martial arts. Whilst tours of Balai Budaya remain free of charge, there is a cost involved with the workshops.
Key Information:
Balai Budaya Opening Hours:
Monday — Friday
9.30am — 12.30pm
1.30pm — 4.30pm
Tours last for one hour (starting on the half hour), which includes time for students to alight and reboard their buses. Bookings are essential, and maximum numbers of 30 students per hour tour apply. Bookings can be made online, or by phone on (02) 6250 8628.