New England Indonesian Festival 2016

Boston, 8 Oktober 2016 – Lebih kurang 10,000 pengunjung memadati area New England Indonesian Festival (NEIF) 2016 di jantung kota Boston, Copley Square hari ini untuk menikmati beragam kulinari khas Indonesia dan menyaksikan secara langsung suguhan tarian dan musik tradisional Indonesia. Acara NEIF 2016 merupakan ajang festival kebudayaan dan kulinari Indonesia tahunan dan terbesar yang pernah diadakan di New England, kawasan pantai timur Amerika Serikat dengan cakupan 6 negara bagian yaitu Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, dan Vermont.

Diselenggarakan oleh Permias Massachusetts, New England Indonesian Community Inc. (ICONE, Inc.) dan Project Push Pin untuk ke-4 kalinya, NEIF 2016 dikemas apik dan menarik bersama dengan para sukarelawan, pekerja seni dan pengusaha makanan Indonesia yang berasal dari Massachusetts, Maryland, Philadelphia, New York dan Illinois. “Konsep acara tahun ini adalah “Our-chipelago” yang menonjolkan keindahan alam dan kekayaan budaya serta kulinari dari 6 pulau utama Indonesia”, jelas Emanuel Rio Atmadja, Presiden dari Permias Massachusetts (organisasi Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Massachussets). “Kami ingin memperlihatkan kepada masyarakat Amerika Serikat disini bahwa walaupun Indonesia terdiri dari banyak pulau dan multicultural society, persatuan dalam keberagaman (unity in diversity) inilah yang membuat Indonesia bisa unggul dan berbeda dari negara lainnya”, tambah Rio.

“Ajang NEIF 2016 tidak hanya sekedar untuk memperkenalkan kebhinekaan Indonesia kepada masyarakat Amerika, tetapi juga untuk meningkatkan kesadaran nasionalisme warga diaspora di Amerika akan Indonesia yang sedang bertransisi menuju kemajuan ekonomi dan demokrasi modern. Kegiatan ini juga diharapkan mampu menghasilkan sinergi positif baik sesama diaspora Indonesia di Amerika maupun antara warga Indonesia dan Amerika di Boston secara khususnya”, ujar Olla Chas, Co-Founder & President dari ICONE, Inc, sebuah organisasi nirlaba berbasis sukarelawan yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika dan promosi seni budaya Indonesia di kawasan New England, Amerika Serikat.

Dibuka oleh Consul General RI yang baru, Abdul Kadir Jailani, IndoFest 2016 menyuguhkan beragam kesenian Indonesia seperti tarian dari daerah Betawi, Lampung, Jawa dan Kalimantan yang dibawakan oleh Nusantara Kreasindo, sanggar tari Indonesia asal New Hampshire, alunan gamelan dan kecapi yang dibawakan oleh Indonesian Dance of Illinois serta peragaan musik tradisional angklung. Beragam masakan dan hidangan penutup khas Indonesia juga habis terjual memenuhi kerinduan kulinari diaspora Indonesia, serta keingintahuan masyarakat lokal Boston akan keunikan dan kekayaan rasa makanan-makanan Indonesia. NEIF 2016 juga dimeriahkan oleh peragaan busana daerah, permainan tradisional Indonesia, Batik workshop, serta suguhan live music performance dari beberapa band lokal.

Check out also: ICONE in the News

Indonesians in New England Celebrated the 71st Indonesian Independence Day

Watertown, 08/27/2016 - Around 350 Indonesians from across New England congregated and celebrated the 71st Indonesian Independence Day at Arsenal Park, Watertown, MA. Held with the theme of "Unity in Diversity", the celebration brought forward the spirit of community and patriotism amongst those participated.

After the solemn procession of Indonesian proclamation and the singing of Indonesian's national anthem, Indonesia Raya, by all participants, the celebration continued with various fun games for both children and adults that have become a tradition in a community celebration such as this back home. Among many games, two new traditional games, the bakiak (long clog) game and the soccer match with sarong, were introduced for the first time to the participants (including to those non-Indonesians). Abundant Indonesian food and beverages such as the sticky rice in curry and vegetable sauce (lontong sayur), cendol, beef rendang, gado-gado, martabak, spicy boiled eggs, sautéed prawns and many more were also available and became part of the main attractions for those who came and looking for some taste of true Indonesian home cooking. Music and dance performances were presented by volunteers such as the Indonesian Rhode Island Band and a couple of traditional dancers. In addition to the main event, as part of the fundraising efforts, ICONE also opened a charity sales booth with ethnic accessories and fashions from Indonesia to purchase.

Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share) 2016

2016 Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share)

Jakarta, 7/30/2016 - ICONE has concluded its first charity initiative, Ramadhan Berbagi (Ramadhan to Share) that focuses on supporting education among children and youth in need in Indonesia today. Charity donations from this year's program went to Millah Khalilulloh, an orphanage center in Tangerang, Indonesia. Thanks to those who purchased the scrumptious selections of Indonesian cookies (kue kering) made by our local chef, Uum Humaerah, that also donated some funds to the children of this orphanage center.

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About Millah Khalilulloh

Millah Khalilulloh is a small orphanage center located at Neroktog Pinang, Tangerang in Indonesia. Self-funded and operated by only a few of volunteers, this orphanage is currently taking care 50 children and youth. The orphanage has been supporting children in need through foster care, education and adoption.

About Ramadhan Berbagi / Ramadhan to Share program

This program, while serving its purpose in supporting and empowering our local talents in culinary, is also one of ICONE’s giving back programs to Indonesia, that focuses on providing education support to children and youth in need. Starting this year, every Ramadhan, 100% of donations from this program will go to different targeted community and welfare institutions that requires help. Bersama, kita bisa!

ICONE’s Indonesian Food Bazaar: Bringing the Community Together

ICONE's Indonesian Food Bazaar: Bringing the Community Together

Dover, 5/14/2016 - More than 600 bazaar goers congregated at the ICONE’s Indonesian Food Spring Bazaar at Hilton Park, Dover, New Hampshire today. The locals, as well as many people from neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island, came to enjoy the beautiful Saturday with friends, food and fun. Supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, the bazaar aimed at supporting the local Indonesian home-based chefs, promoting Indonesian culture through culinary and Batik, as well as to fundraise for the future establishment of the Indonesian Community Center and the ongoing running of collaborative community empowerment programs in New England.

12 food vendors from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut participated at the bazaar, offering more than 60 Indonesian food, desserts and drinks to enjoy. Various performances from several members of the community helped heightened the festive mood of the bazaar. Some of the musicians that contributed were Calvin Yehezkiel Limuel, duo Alfa and Jaffa, Sasha and student group singers from Boston. The visitors were also entertained by couple of group dances performed by Nusantara Kreasindo. Aside from food and performances, visitors also had a chance to make their own Batik with the young talented Batik artist, Alexander Sebastianus Hartanto, and shopped for some ethnic clothing and accessories from Vanny Tousignant and Permias Massachusetts. The bazaar ended with the highly anticipated raffle ticket drawing, with some fantastic prizes such as the iPad Mini, HDTV and camera digital. Even though it was 74 degrees today, everyone stayed till the very end of the bazaar.

Big thank you to the ICONE team members who helped plan and coordinate the bazaar, including Olla Chas, Rizki Setia, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Andi Sipayung (Desi Sibih-Sipayung), Raude Raychel, Yana Regan, Watty Grant, Ida Daud and Elsa Bale. The bazaar was truly a testament to the amazing collaborations between ICONE and the community. It brought the community together. Bersama, kita bisa!

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ICONE Celebrates Its First Indonesian Course Graduates

Boston, 5/8/2016 - The six-week program of ICONE’s Bahasa Indonesia beginners course, the first community-based Indonesian course ever held in Boston, has concluded and proudly brought forward its first ever graduates. Both the children and adult graduates are ready to use their new language skills to better communicate with their immediate Indonesian families and friends, confidently travel to Indonesia and conduct simple conversation with Indonesians in various daily situations.

Led by the experienced Indonesian-native instructors, students practiced basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to help them develop clarity and confidence when using Bahasa Indonesia. Storytelling, interactive exercises and understanding news and songs in Bahasa Indonesia were the most favorite sessions among the students.

Thanks to the outstanding instructors and the Indonesian Educational and Cultural Attaché office in Washington DC who have supported this language program all the way through.

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Indonesian Movie Screening: MERAH PUTIH

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Boston, 4/24/2016 - In partnership with Permias Massachusetts, Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. held its first Indonesian movie screening event at Northeastern University, Boston. MERAH PUTIH is a film with a historically authentic backdrop of Indonesia's struggle for independence in 1947 during the Van Mook offensive in the heart of republic territory in Central Java. Directed by Yadi Sugandi, Indonesia's most celebrated cinematographer, MERAH PUTIH tells the story of a fictional band of freedom fighters who bond together as cadets to survive a massacre, fighting on as guerilla soldiers to become true children of the nation, despite their sharp conflicts and deep differences in social class, ethnicity, geographic origin, religion and personality.

Thank you to those who have come and enjoyed both the movie and delicious Indonesian foods with us. By participating, you have supported our fundraising efforts for the establishment of future Indonesian Community Center and the ongoing community empowerment programs in New England.

Bersama, kita bisa!

Five Firestars for ICONE’s First Indonesian Cooking Class

Five Firestars Rating for ICONE's First Indonesian Cooking Class

Braintree, 02/06/2016 - Gorgeous day after the winter storm Lexi marked the first Indonesian cooking class held by ICONE at Eda's Café in Braintree on February 6, 2016. As part of ICONE's efforts to further promote Indonesian culture to New England's community, ICONE provided a glimpse of Indonesian culture through its culinary by holding a cooking class.

Rizki Setia, ICONE's very own chef instructor, together with the class participants cooked up two of the most famous Indonesian meals, Ayam Woku and Siomay. A couple of faculty members and several students from Bunker Hill Community College's culinary arts program were amongst the class participants. Together they learned about variety of must-have spices in Indonesian cooking and how to best use them. Siomay making was a blast when participants, who have never tasted or made one, tried their best to make their Siomay dough proportionally put and nicely wrapped in the wonton wraps and tofu used.

Despite the many things that ICONE needs to learn from its first attempt of hosting a cooking program for future events, the class was definitely a hit among the participants. One participant even gave ICONE and team five fire stars in her review. Thank you all for giving ICONE a chance to promote Indonesian culinary. Hopefully, ICONE can do this again in the near future with a more delicious Indonesian menu to learn.

Terima kasih dan sampai jumpa lagi!

[For Ayam Woku and Siomay recipes, please click here]

End-of-year gathering & farewell for Indonesian Consul General

Boston, 12/8/2015 - It's that time of year again to celebrate the holiday seasons with friends, food and fun. ICONE, in collaborations with Permias Massachusetts and supported by Indonesian Consulate of New York, held a night of togetherness among friends and families of Indonesian community in Massachusetts. The event was also served as a farewell tribute to the beloved Indonesian Consul General, Bapak Ghafur and Ibu Endah Dharmaputra. Thank you all to those who have come and participated to make the evening a memorable one.

Wishing you all happy holidays and see you back in 2016 with more community empowerment programs!

ICONE’s Holiday Bazaar 2015: The First ICONE’s Community Event in New Hampshire

Somersworth, 12/05/2015 - ICONE, Inc.’s first community event in New Hampshire on December 5, 2015 was a success with hundreds of people came together and celebrated the coming holiday seasons with lots of food and fun time with friends and family. Indonesian communities from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and all the way from Connecticut and Rhode Island were seen having a good time at the event.

There were more than 40 varieties of food and desserts offered by Indonesian and Malaysian vendors that were quickly sold out due to the high demands from the bazaar goers. The clothing and accessories sections of the bazaar by Vanyo Fashion (NY) and Datzo Fabulous Boutique (NH) were also a hit with many people visiting to complete their holiday shopping.

As embedded in ICONE, Inc.’s ways of doing things, community involvements are very crucial in each of its programs. Supported by several amazing and talented groups and individuals, the bazaar was not only the place to go for food & shop, but also the place for shows of talents we have among us in the community. Many thanks to Nusantara Kreasindo for the beautiful and colorful dances, Sri Rejeki for bringing the touch of Javanese through a couple of enchanting traditional dances, trio Batak (Andi Sipayung, bang Juntak, Susi Sihombing) with their touching “Na Sonang Do Hita Na Dua’ ballade song, and duo Raude Raychel & friend for their acoustic renditions.

Another highlight of the bazaar was the raffle ticket drawings with some fantastic prizes to win for. Congratulations to one bazaar goer from Connecticut who won the Apple iPad mini, Don LaFleur on the BOSE wireless speaker, Willa Sullivan on LG LED HDTV, and the rest of the raffle prizes winners.

Thank you to all of the ICONE’s team members and the rest of the community who have made this event a day to remember. Very special thanks to Olla Chas, Rizki Setia, Yana Regan, Mieke Moran, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Andi Sipayung, Ida Daud, Raude Raychel, Desi Sipayung, Susi Sihombing, Willa Lydia Sullivan, Anna Madden, Amanda Madjid, and Michelle Effendi who have helped and delivered their tremendous support.

Together, we can! Bersama, kita bisa! All for the future establishment of New England’s Indonesian Community Center and the ongoing community empowerment programs.