On October 28, Cornerstone Global Academy held its annual Bulan Bahasa Festival, a cherished event dedicated to honoring the Indonesian language and celebrating the cultural diversity that unites the archipelago. This year’s festival highlighted the vibrant heritage of Kalimantan with the theme, “Orbit: One Roof, Betang in Tolerance,” symbolizing unity in diversity and encouraging students to embrace Indonesia’s rich cultural tapestry. The event aimed to deepen students’ appreciation for Indonesia’s linguistic and cultural wealth while fostering a stronger sense of national identity.
Students from elementary to high school participated in a variety of engaging activities designed to connect them with Indonesia’s national heritage and enhance their creativity. The festival’s main events included traditional dance and music performances, a fashion show featuring authentic Kalimantan attire, and folklore dramas depicting iconic stories from the region. These performances allowed students to explore Kalimantan’s artistic expressions and share its unique cultural stories with their peers.
Additionally, each grade was assigned a Kalimantan province to inspire their classroom decorations, fostering a sense of artistic collaboration and unity across the school. The decorations reflected the traditional motifs and symbols of each region, with Grades 1-2 representing Kalimantan Barat, Grades 3-6 exploring Kalimantan Utara, Grades 7-9 covering Kalimantan Timur, Grade 10 focusing on Kalimantan Tengah, Grade 11 embodying Kalimantan Selatan, and Grade 12 returning to Kalimantan Barat. In addition to visual designs, classrooms featured traditional games, folklore storytelling, and greetings in regional languages, creating an immersive cultural experience for everyone involved.
Through this celebration, students gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of their national language as they practiced greetings in regional dialects and learned about local linguistic nuances. The Bulan Bahasa Festival successfully fostered pride in Indonesia’s unity and respect for its many cultures, leaving students with a strengthened connection to their heritage and a greater sense of cultural respect and understanding.
