The theme of SIPFest 2026 is asiaria, as we intend to celebrate and cheer for the works of Asian and Asian-diaspora artists.

This 2026, as with previous even-numbered years, we welcome another edition of SIPFest, Salihara International Performing-arts Festival. This special biennial presents a selection of performing art works that are exceptional, interesting and sophisticated. featuring experienced performers with decades of experience, names who have firmly established themselves in the performing arts world. Alongside them are bright young artists whose works burst with fresh and clever ideas. Together, these performers prove that SIPFest is a performing arts festival to watch; it crowns the entire breadth of our performing arts programming these past two years.

SIPFest 2026 will feel quite different from previous editions. Perhaps due to programming algorithms or by virtue of our circles of interaction with performers these past two years, this year’s SIPFest will showcase works by artists from Asia, either domiciled or working in the continent, or Asian diaspora artists based elsewhere. They are Sankai Juku (Japan), Ho Rui An (Singapore) and Wang Chong (China). Among the diaspora performers are Monica Lim & Mindy Meng Wang (Australia/China), Ruben Reniers & Irene Tanuwidjaja (the Netherlands/Indonesia), as well as Indonesia-based artists like Melati Suryodarmo, Rukman Rosadi, Siko Setyanto and the group KUNTARI.

The theme of SIPFest 2026 is “asiaria”, as we intend to celebrate and cheer for the works of Asian and Asian-diaspora artists. Furthermore, in addition to setting the stage for those aforementioned names, we will also be producing a theater performance in collaboration with scriptwriter Alfian Sa’at (Singapore), director Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin (Malaysia) and actors from Salihara’s Acting Class. Nadirah, which had already been performed in Singapore, its country of origin, is a work that shares strong cultural ties with Indonesia. Hence, our decision to present this work with actors (or performers) from Indonesia. This is also our first three-country collaboration. 

One of SIPFest’s unique characteristics is its efforts to go beyond completed works with proven excellence and acclaim, to also present dynamic and fresh works-in-progress, in the hopes that they too will become stellar pieces in the years to come. Ruang Karya Bertumbuh is a program that provides a space for creators to introduce their works-in-progress, where works are presented in such a way to spark dialogues with the audience as part of the artist’s creative processes. This time, Ruang Karya Bertumbuh hosts Fioretti Vera, Joned Suryatmoko, Boet Bismart, Frans Junias Jugganza and Jiyoung Yoo (South Korea).

SIPFest asiaria is a month-long celebration, held from 1 August to 30 August 2026. We invite everyone to celebrate and cheer together with us, to experience this special performing arts festival at Komunitas Salihara. We wish you a joyful festival full of cheer!

Regards,

Ening Nurjanah
Festival Director