The Indonesian Student Association at Oregon State University will be hosting their annual culture night on Feb. 18, in the Memorial Union Ballroom, complete with food and performances. 

On Friday, the doors will open at 5 p.m. and the event will last from 5:30-8:30 p.m.. Tickets, which are free, are available on the Instagram account @permiasosu, according to Kathy Young.

Young is the president of Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Amerika Serikat, which translates to “Organization of the Indonesian Students in the United States,” and is typically shortened to PERMIAS—also known as the Indonesian Students Association. 

The event promises ‘staple’ Indonesian food cooked by OSU’s Global Community Kitchen, according to Dandy Wiroreno, the logistics officer of PERMIAS.

Only 65% of those in attendance will be able to participate in the dine-in, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, all attendees will receive goodie bags of Indonesian snacks and the three-course meal in a pre-packed box, according to Young. 

Additionally, the event will feature various forms of entertainment celebrating Indonesian culture. 

“We’ll have a couple performances—a skit or play, a band performance, a couple traditional dances and traditional music going on,” Wiroreno said. 

This year’s theme is “The Origins.”

“We will have a drama performed by our Indonesian students that tells about how the two lakes were formed in Indonesia according to folk stories,” Young said, adding that some of the other performances include “a band by Indonesian students at OSU and IMAPA [Papuan Students Association in U.S. and Canada], traditional music by Gamelan [Gamelan is a traditional music ensemble in Indonesia] and traditional dance by IPAO [Indonesian Performing Arts of Oregon].” 

Wiroreno noted why this year’s event is special.

“What’s exciting about this year’s event is that this is like our first in-person event in two years,” Wiroreno said, adding, “Considering that we just went through the COVID-19 year, I think it will be fun. [There will be] a lot of new faces, a lot of new performances.”

For those in PERMIAS, the culture night helps them reconnect by getting the chance to celebrate their culture.

“For me personally, IndoNight is one of the most exciting times of the year,” Young said. “It is a chance for me to share and celebrate my culture with my friends, as well as curing my homesickness for a little.”

“The culture night really helps me reconnect to my roots back home,” Wiroreno said. “Just experiencing all the stuff of Indonesia all over again, it’s really nice.” 

According to Wiroreno, one reason that people should come to the culture night—besides the free food and entertainment—is to explore and learn about a culture different from their own. He said, “A lot of people will enjoy learning a new culture, or even listening to some new music, trying out some new food, and it’s a lot of cultural differences that you can learn from.” 

Masks are mandatory at this event. In order to attend, you must bring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test—no longer than three days old.