CEMPALA
Shadow puppet art performance traditions exist in many countries, and in Indonesia which is known as Wayang—a noble art form recognized by UNESCO in 2003 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Wayang is not merely entertainment; it is spectacle, guidance, and moral order that reflects the greatness of Nusantara’s cultural heritage.
Although rooted in ancient tradition, Wayang continues to live on and remain relevant because of its nature amot, among, amemangkat—its ability to adapt, absorb, and influence other cultures.
Wayang World 2025 Event
Wayang World 2025
7 November, 2025
Wayang World 2025 is an international event that brings together exhibitions, discussions, and puppet performances from various countries. Organized by CEMPALA (Centre for Multidisciplinary Puppetry Arts Learning and Appreciation), the event features collaborations between artists, scholars, and cultural institutions from around the world — including Indonesia, the United States, Greece, Iran, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
It includes online performances and cultural talks such as Tholpavakoothu Ramayana, Wayang Menak Iskandar Zulkarnain, and the Menak Persian Story, as well as an international wayang photo exhibition at the Ullen Sentalu Museum in Yogyakarta.
Wayang World 2025 brings together diverse shadow-puppet traditions from around the world in a cross-cultural dialogue.
Gallery
Video
Wooden Puppet Alexander The Great – Pupeteer Ki Rudy Wiratama
The topics and performances featured in Wayang World 2025 include Wayang Ramayana, Wayang Menak Dewi Rengganis, Wayang Menak Iskandar Zulkarnain, Wayang Menak Ampak-Ampak Supit Urang, Wayang Sutasoma, and Moondance Puppetry. You can also watch previous performances: Nadran 2024 and Wayang World 2023.
Programs and Initiatives
Our activities include the preservation, research, and dissemination of knowledge about wayang as Indonesia’s masterpiece cultural heritage, carried out through scientific, educational, and collaborative study.
Study and Interpretation of Wayang as a Masterpiece
Conducting research on various types of wayang stored in museums, galleries, institutions, and private collections, both in Indonesia and abroad. This study covers provenance, characteristics, story synopses, period of creation, artisans, as well as the iconographic and philosophical meanings of each wayang.
Digital Publications and Wayang Database
Presenting the research findings in digital form on the website, organized diachronically (based on historical development) and synchronically (through cross-regional, stylistic, and thematic comparisons), making it a source of knowledge for the wider public.
Consultation and Advisory Services
Providing consultation services for researchers, curators, collectors, cultural institutions, and the general public who require guidance in the identification, conservation, or interpretation of wayang.
Workshops and Training
Organizing discussion forums, seminars, and symposia that bring together experts, artists, researchers, and students to discuss developments, challenges, and preservation efforts in the world of wayang.
Exhibitions and Performances
Collaborating with art institutions, museums, and cultural communities both in Indonesia and abroad to organize thematic exhibitions and wayang performances that showcase the latest research findings and interpretations.
Collaboration
Building networks and partnerships with institutions at home and abroad for knowledge exchange, artist residencies, and collaborative projects that strengthen wayang’s position as a world cultural heritage.
“Wayang is the shadow of our own lives.”
— Rudy Wiratama
