Helatari Salihara is a dance festival that introduces the latest works by some of the best choreographers from Indonesia and around the world. The first Helatari Salihara was held in 2015 with the theme “Tari Baru dari Khazanah Tradisi Nusantara” [New Danceworks from Indonesia’s Traditional Dance Heritage], providing a stage for new danceworks that had absorbed and distilled various influences from all corners of the Indonesian archipelago.
Helatari Salihara has welcomed, among others, Yola Yulfianti, Katia Angel (Germany), Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh (France), Otniel Tasman and Melati Suryodarmo. In 2019, Helatari introduced the Open Invitation program to draw in more young choreographers and dance groups with young members (no more than 35 years of age). It aims to support the growth and development of new talents within the Indonesian dance scene. It received submissions of both brand-new works and previously-performed works. Through Open Invitation, we have been able to meet interesting groups and choreographers, among others, Anis Harliani, Ayu Permata Sari and Eyi Lesar.