A partnership built on movement
The year 2025 marks a significant anniversary: 75 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Indonesia. It is a moment not only for celebration but also for deepening intercultural dialogue. And some connections are built not through words — but through movement.
That is how the artistic collaboration between Ballet.id and the Choreography Department Association, coordinated by Romanian choreographer Sandra Mavhima, came to life. She will present one of the special moments during the Indonesian Ballet Gala 2025, taking place on July 6 in Jakarta.
The event is hosted at Graha Bhakti Budaya, a landmark venue located in the heart of the Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural complex — the most important multidisciplinary arts center in Indonesia. Recently revitalized and equipped with a unique immersive sound system (the first of its kind in Southeast Asia), the venue is now home to a dynamic encounter between contemporary Romanian dance and Indonesian performers. Together, they aim to create something new — something never seen before.
Who is Sandra Mavhima?
Invited by Ballet.id, Romanian choreographer Sandra Mavhima is representing Romania at the Indonesian Ballet Gala 2025. With an international career spanning France, Norway, Spain, Lebanon, Poland, North Macedonia, Thailand, and the USA, Sandra is recognized for her interdisciplinary approach that bridges academic research and performative creation. She holds a PhD in performing arts, teaches at the “George Enescu” National University of Arts in Iași, and collaborates with top institutions such as the Bucharest National Opera, the National Dance Center (CNDB), and the Sibiu Ballet Theatre.
Sandra is currently working in Jakarta with a group of Indonesian dancers, in a collaborative process centered on listening and shared creation. The piece she is developing is inspired by “At the Market” (La Piață), a ballet composed in 1928 by Mihail Jora, considered the first original Romanian ballet. This is not a historical reconstruction, but a reimagining — a contemporary exploration of community, silent tensions, and invisible connections.
What is Ballet.id?
Ballet.id (Yayasan Bina Ballet Indonesia) is a non-profit foundation established by five Indonesian dancers and dance advocates. Its mission is to promote excellence in ballet and contemporary dance by providing professional development opportunities for local dancers and fostering strong international connections. The annual Indonesian Ballet Gala, organized by Ballet.id with the support of Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, is a major event on the Southeast Asian cultural calendar. The 2025 edition, enriched by Romania’s participation, becomes a shared space for creative dialogue and artistic reflection.
This initiative is made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Romania, the Romanian Embassy in Indonesia, the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași, International Relations Centre Erasmus+ and the Choreography Department Association. The Romanian delegation has already held official meetings in Jakarta to lay the groundwork for future cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Dance is just the beginning. Around this first step, we envision a lasting framework of joint projects, artistic mobility, and research in the performing arts. What we bring to the stage on July 6 is more than a performance. It’s an invitation to the future.
The Ballet.id x Romania partnership is a step forward for both art and diplomacy. Its ultimate goal? To build a lasting platform for creative exchange where students, choreographers, and performers from both countries can learn, grow, and create together.
