Why Islam and The Archipelago
The Festival Islam Kepulauan, centered around the theme “The Voices of Archipelago,” celebrates Javanese Ṣūfī poetry, specifically Suluk, which entails the mystical path of Sufis and aspirant Sufis. These poems, intended to be sung, represent the diverse paths toward the Creator. Many Nusantara—archipelagic—Suluk manuscripts, previously removed during colonial times, are now preserved in the Netherlands. The festival aims to rediscover and welcome back these forgotten Suluk, integral to Indonesia’s centuries-old Islamic practices. The Suluk holds the wisdom of the esoteric journey towards self-annihilation (Jv. kalepasan, Ar. fanāʾ), central to the practice of Islam in Indonesia. The event is an initiative by Lesbumi (Indonesian Muslim Cultural Artists Institute) of PCINU Belanda (The Special Branch of Nahdlatul Ulama in The Netherlands).
“The Voice of Archipelago” explores the magnificence of Suluk: reflecting the unique “island breath” harmonizing human life, the universe, and the divine. The festival aims to engage all elements under PCINU Belanda and invites participation (from) and collaboration (with) diverse Indonesian communities in the Netherlands and Europe, as well as the art-cultural and religious-based communities and institutions from Indonesia and the Netherlands. It emphasizes inclusivity, involving various communities, groups, and institutions regardless of their religion and beliefs.
1. Public Understanding: Articulating to the general public and Western society how the Nusantara community—people living in the archipelago—perceives and interacts with the divine through Suluk.
2. Suluk Importance: Highlighting the importance of Suluk, serving as a tool to provide access, particularly through songs and stories, to those unfamiliar with the Arabic language in which Islamic teachings are stored.
3. Celebrating Diversity: Bringing people together through Suluk recitations (singing), dialogues, Suluk and art exhibitions, and cultural performances to celebrate diversity.
The Festival Islam Kepulauan strives to be a bridge between cultures, emphasizing the importance of Suluk and its role in shaping Indonesia’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
JOIN THE EVENT Why attend the Festival
LISTEN TO THE Event Speakers & Artists
Gus Mus
Advisor of the NU Executive Council
Gus Mus
Advisor of the NU Executive Council
Mustofa Bisri, well known as Gus Mus, is famous not only as a kyai—traditional Islamic teacher & leader, but also as a poet and painter. He was the ninth Chief Adviser of Nahdlatul Ulama. He is the head of Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Thalibin, Rembang, Central Java, Indonesia
Yuta Kuroki
Artist
Yuta Kuroki
Artist
Yuta Kuroki was born into a family that inherits the Japanese ‘Kagura’ (sacred music and dancing performed at shrines) from generation to generation. Since he was a child, he has been familiar with the Japanese ‘Kagura’, a traditional Japanese performing art. He began his career with a musical theatre company in Miyazaki when he was a university student. He quickly moved to perform on stage and got a chance to appear in several TV commercials and films in Japan.
Gus Ulil
Islamic Scholar
Gus Ulil
Islamic Scholar
Ulil Abshar Abdalla or familiarly called Gus Ulil is an Indonesian Muslim figure who developed Sufism thought through virtual recitation of the Book of Ihya Ulumuddin via his personal Facebook. Based in Jakarta, he is the founder of Ghazalia College. Gus Ulil is serving as Chair of the PBNU Lakpesdam for the 2022-2027 period.
Tanto Mendut
Artist and Cultural Figure
Tanto Mendut
Artist and Cultural Figure
Tanto Mendut, whose real name is Sutanto, is an Indonesian artist and cultural figure. He is the founder and leader of the Komunitas Lima Gunung (Five Mountains Community) which often holds international scale arts and culture events on top of the mountains by always empowering the people on the five mountains, namely Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing and Menoreh. Sutanto is the recipient of an award from the Aesthetic Science and Technology Foundation for his persistence in empowering society through sociocultural life.
Erick Tohir*
Minister of State Owned Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia
Erick Tohir*
Minister of State Owned Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia
Erick Thohir is an Indonesian businessman and politician who has served as Indonesia's Minister of State Owned Enterprises since 2019 and chairman of Football Association of Indonesia since 2023. He is the founder of Mahaka Group, a conglomeration that focuses on media, sports and entertainment.
*attendance is to be confirmed
Tisna Sanjaya
Artist and Academia
Tisna Sanjaya
Artist and Academia
Dr. Tisna Sanjaya M. Sch., lecturer and Chair of the Fine Arts Expertise Group, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) Bandung Institute of Technology. He received the 2020 Indonesian Culture Award in the Creator, Pioneer and Reformer category from the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
Susi Pudjiastuti*
Entrepreneur
Susi Pudjiastuti*
Entrepreneur
Susi Pudjiastuti is an Indonesian entrepreneur who served as the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia under President Joko Widodo's 2014–2019 Working Cabinet. She is also the owner of PT ASI Pudjiastuti Marine Product, a seafood export company, and PT ASI Pudjiastuti Aviation, which operates Susi Air charter airline.
*attendance is to be confirmed
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REACH US Get Direction to the Event
Venues
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Venues
Art Exhibition, Live Painting & Islam Summit
Bronbeek Museum Arnhem
Velperweg 147, 6824 MB Arnhem
Interactive Dialogue & Performances
Rumah Budaya Indonesia
Brachthuijzerstraat 4-8, 1075 EN Amsterdam
Food Bazaar & Art Performances
De Broodfabriek Expo
Brachthuijzerstraat 4-8, 1075 EN Amsterdam
Tickets info
Name: Aby Aushaf
Whatsapp: +31 630247491
Email: info@thevoicesofarchipelago.org
Programme Details
Name: Helmi Rudiansyah
Whatsapp: +31 687416998
Email: info@thevoicesofarchipelago.com
How to get there
Brighton Waterfront Hotel, Brighton, London
1Hd- 50, 010 Avenue, NY 90001
United States
Tickets info
Name: Ronaldo König
Phone: 009-215-5595
Email: info@example.com
Programme Details
Name: Ronaldo König
Phone: 009-215-5595
Email: info@example.com