Indonesian culture stole the spotlight at the World Multicultural Festival (WMF) in Ottawa on Saturday, with the sounds of angklung and the graceful movements of the Balinese Pendet dance lighting up the stage -- even as the temperature outside hovered close to zero degrees.

Hundreds of visitors packed into the city’s Horticulture Building -- a vibrant gathering place for people from all corners of the world -- and they didn’t shy away from the cold to catch the show. And they were not disappointed.

A Warm Welcome from Bali
Indonesia kicked off its performance with the Pendet dance, performed by twins Nalani and Keandra Gruys -- Indonesian descendants -- along with Canadian national Jasmine Daoust. Traditionally known as a welcoming dance, Pendet mesmerized the audience with its soft expressions, flowing movements, and sparkling Balinese costumes. As rose petals showered the stage, the dancers embodied a gesture of hospitality -- a symbolic greeting from Indonesia to the world.

Pendet is a sacred and traditional Balinese dance originally performed in temples as a welcoming ritual for the gods. In its modern cultural setting, it is performed as a welcoming dance for guests -- symbolizing hospitality, purity, and respect.

The performance wasn’t just visually beautiful. It was also a reminder that Indonesian culture continues to be passed down lovingly among the diaspora and younger generations who grow up far from home.

ABBA Meets Angklung
To keep the momentum going, an angklung orchestra took the stage -- and instantly turned the chilly evening into a party. The group delighted the crowd with ABBA hits “Mamma Mia” and “Super Trouper,” played entirely on traditional bamboo instruments. The performers included members of the Indonesian Canadian Congress and women staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, performing under the Darma Wanita group.

Audience members couldn’t help moving along to the music, dancing lightly to the upbeat angklung rhythms despite the freezing weather.

Each angklung, a traditional bamboo musical instrument, produces a single note, so players must work together to create melodies -- making harmony a key element of the performance. In 2010, UNESCO recognized angklung as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“People in Ottawa were really amazed -- both by the elegance of the Pendet dance and by the harmony of the angklung performance,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab. “After the show, so many visitors approached the performers -- some even wanted to try playing angklung. This is Indonesia’s soft power at work.”

Gita Nurlaila, President of the ICC who also led the angklung ensemble, said the group rehearsed for three months to perfect the performance. “We deeply appreciate the tremendous support from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa. We practiced twice a week at the Embassy, about two hours each session,” she said.

As the largest annual cultural festival in Ottawa, WMF showcases performances from more than 70 participating countries. It’s a celebration of global diversity -- and a reminder that arts and culture are not just entertainment, but a bridge that connects people across borders.

With the emotional charm of the Pendet dance and the joyful sound of the angklung, Indonesia once again showed that the magic of Nusantara culture doesn’t just live in the archipelago -- it shines brightly in the heart of Canada’s capital.