Montréal. The rhythmic resonance of Balinese gamelan filled the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Music concert hall on Saturday night, drawing around 400 spectators into an immersive showcase of Indonesian culture thousands of kilometers away from Bali.

The performance, presented by Giri Kedaton, blended dynamic gamelan compositions with traditional Balinese dance, transforming the venue into a vibrant cultural space. The evening was further enlivened by a selection of Indonesian traditional snacks served by the Indonesian Embassy, adding a sensory layer to the cultural experience.

Beyond a musical performance, the concert offered Canadian audiences an insight into the values of harmony, spirituality, and togetherness that underpin Indonesian culture. The event also served as a form of cultural diplomacy, positioning Indonesian arts as a gateway to spark interest in visiting the country and experiencing its cultural and natural richness firsthand.

Under the artistic direction of Pierre Paré-Blais and I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara, Giri Kedaton presented seven Balinese gamelan repertoires, including one original composition by a group member. Around 40 performers took part, comprising Université de Montréal gamelan students, core members of Giri Kedaton, and several dancers, reflecting a living and intergenerational process of cultural transmission.

The concert was officially opened by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab, who delivered his remarks in French to match the predominantly Francophone audience. He highlighted Giri Kedaton’s long-standing role in bridging Indonesian and Canadian cultures through Balinese gamelan, while introducing core Indonesian values of harmony, balance, and communal spirit.

The ambassador also noted that Giri Kedaton was among the recipients of a Cultural Award presented by KBRI Ottawa in August 2025. He closed by inviting attendees to visit Indonesia and experience its cultural heritage directly.

Paré-Blais explained that the winter concert, an annual tradition at Université de Montréal, involved more than 40 performers, including 12 students and 12 dancers, and had been in preparation since September 2025. He added that several Balinese musicians arrived in Montreal last month to support rehearsals and ensure the authenticity of the performance.

Audience enthusiasm was evident throughout the evening. Norman, a Montreal resident who previously studied Indonesian in Indonesia, said the performance left a strong impression and rekindled his longing for the country.

Based at the Université de Montréal, Giri Kedaton has been actively promoting Indonesian culture since the mid-1990s and has played a key role in integrating Balinese gamelan into the university’s Faculty of Music curriculum. The concert once again underscored the role of the arts as a universal language, while reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties with Canada through cultural exchange.

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