A music and dance concert marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day brought together parishioners in South Tangerang, Greater Jakarta, to celebrate national pride while raising funds for Catholic students from financially disadvantaged families.
The “Cinta Tanah Air” (Love for the Nation) concert was held on August 15 at Santa Maria Regina Church in Bintaro Jaya Parish, South Tangerang, in Indonesia’s Banten province. It also marked the parish’s 16th anniversary.
Held every three years, the concert was organized by the Sanmare Children & Youth Orchestra (SCYO) in collaboration with the parish’s Ayo Sekolah, Ayo Kuliah (ASAK), or “Let’s Go to School, Let’s Go to College,” movement.
The concert featured music, dance and patriotic songs performed by people of different ages and backgrounds under the theme “From Sanmare for Indonesia.” Proceeds will support the education of children and young people facing financial difficulties.
ASAK Bintaro Jaya currently supports 91 students, including 62 elementary, junior high and senior high school students and 29 university students.
A significant feature of the event was the participation of ASAK alumni who had themselves received educational assistance from parishioners. Having completed their studies, some have returned to support the program and help provide similar opportunities to younger students.
The initiative reflects a cycle of support in which former beneficiaries become contributors to the education of a new generation.
Fr. Bernardus Hardijantan Dermawan, Pr, parish priest of Santa Maria Regina, said the concert demonstrated how fundraising could be combined with community celebration.
“Behind this stage, many people have been involved in preparing this performance over the past six months. Young people, adults, and senior citizens have worked together for this music and dance concert,” Fr. Dermawan said.
He encouraged parishioners to support the educational mission through charitable giving.
The concert involved parish priests, the Daily Pastoral Council, arts groups, performers, volunteers, donors, sponsors and parishioners.
One of the evening’s highlights came when Fr. Dermawan performed the classic Indonesian song Bengawan Solo with a keroncong ensemble and invited the audience to sing along.
The festive atmosphere also encouraged spontaneous donations. Three parishioners pledged 15 million Indonesian rupiah (US$900), 50 million rupiah (US$3,000), and another 15 million rupiah, bringing the publicly announced total to 80 million rupiah (US$4,800). Additional donations were made through envelopes and bank transfers.
A recorded video message from Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, archbishop of Jakarta, also encouraged Catholics to support the ASAK movement through charitable giving.
For the organizers, the concert demonstrated that national celebrations can also become opportunities for solidarity. The participation of ASAK alumni gave particular meaning to the fundraising effort: those who once benefited from the generosity of others are now helping younger students pursue their education.
The evening therefore combined music, culture and patriotism with a practical commitment to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent children and young people from continuing their education.
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