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Mon, 19 May 2025
JIMBARAN – The Kanthi Widya Hall at Widiatmika Middle School was filled with the vibrant spirit of Indonesian culture as students performed a series of traditional folk songs. This event was part of the Strengthening Pancasila Student Profile Project (P5) with the theme "Unity in Diversity" held on Friday, May 16, 2025. It was not just an art performance but an educational initiative aimed at instilling values of tolerance, cooperation, and pride in Indonesia's cultural heritage.
The event featured students from Grades VII and VIII, who performed nine traditional songs from various regions across the archipelago, including Riau, West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, South Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, South Sulawesi, and Papua. Each class was assigned two songs selected randomly, while Grade IX students, who had completed their P5 activities, served as judges to choose the best performance.
I Kadek Agus Putrawan, the coordinator of the P5 program with the theme "Unity in Diversity," emphasized that this event was designed to introduce students to Indonesia's cultural richness and to reinforce their understanding of the importance of living in diversity.
"We want our students to realize that Indonesia is rich in culture, language, and arts. Differences should not be avoided. Instead, they teach us about tolerance, collaboration, and the beauty of diverse cultures. This is what we want to instill from an early age, so they grow up appreciating diversity and loving this nation," Agus Putrawan explained.
Despite limited preparation time due to the holiday season, the students' enthusiasm and creativity were unstoppable. Among the nine classes that performed, Grade VII.4 won first place with the East Nusa Tenggara song "Anak Kambing Saya." Grade VIII.4 secured second place with the Jakarta song "Ondel-Ondel," and Grade VIII.1 took third place with the Maluku song "Nona Manis Siapa Yang Punya." Grade VIII.4 also won the audience's favorite performance for their creativity and teamwork.
Agus Putrawan emphasized that the judging criteria were not solely based on vocal quality or costumes but also on teamwork, creativity, and collaboration shown during preparation and performance.
"We didn't just evaluate the quality of singing or the beauty of the costumes. It was more about how they worked together, combined ideas, and created something new without forgetting their cultural roots," he added.
Through this event, students not only learned to sing traditional songs but also understood the stories and values behind them. They were introduced to the rich cultural heritage of various regions, encouraged to take pride in their nation's diversity, and realized that differences are a source of strength.
If the P5 program continues next year, the school plans to hold a similar performance again. According to Agus Putrawan, through arts and culture, character education can be delivered in a fun and meaningful way.
Widiatmika Middle School has proven that education is not just about academics but also about shaping character and national awareness. With the spirit of "Unity in Diversity" resonating through traditional songs, the school nurtures a generation that is not only intelligent but also tolerant and cultured.
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