Nyala Feminist Festival Solo: A Movement for Gender Equality
About the Festival
The Nyala Feminist Festival Solo/Festival Nyala Feminis Solo (FNFS) is a biannual event organized by PUKAPS, launching for the first time in 2024. This festival represents a bold and transformative effort to advance gender equality and raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues through various forms of creative expression, discussions, and educational activities. As the first feminist festival of its kind in Solo, Central Java, FNFS 2024 brings together local activists, artists, feminists, and the wider community to engage in meaningful dialogue and advocacy around gender justice.
The inaugural festival in 2024 features a series of interconnected events that highlight the complexity of gender-based issues and celebrate feminist creativity and solidarity. FNFS serves as a platform for both raising awareness and fostering change by tackling critical issues such as Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), gender-based violence, menstrual health, and women’s bodily autonomy.
The festival continues with an array of creative and educational activities, including Art Therapy Workshops, Movie Discussions, Book Discussions, and an Art Exhibition that amplifies feminist voices and provides spaces for healing, reflection, and collective action.
Nyala Feminist Festival Solo is more than just a festival—it is a movement for change. Each year, FNFS grows in scale and impact, bringing together diverse communities to challenge gender-based violence, promote SRHR, and celebrate women’s strength and resilience. Through its rich array of educational and creative activities, FNFS contributes to a broader vision of a more just, equitable, and feminist future in Indonesia.
#1 Art Therapy Workshop
The Art Therapy Workshop at FNFS is a healing space that encourages participants, particularly survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), to express their emotions through creative arts. This workshop is led by professional art therapists who provide guidance in using art as a tool for emotional release and personal healing.
Participants engage in painting, drawing, and other visual arts, which allow them to process their trauma in a supportive and safe environment.
The art created during this workshop is often showcased during the festival’s Art Exhibition, offering survivors a platform to share their stories and reclaim their narratives. The proceeds from the sale of artwork are reinvested in the community, supporting further programs for survivors. This workshop aligns with FNFS’s mission to empower women and marginalized groups through creative expression, fostering a sense of agency and resilience.
#2 Movie Discussion
The Movie Discussion at FNFS features powerful short films that address complex feminist and SRHR issues, such as sexual harassment, unwanted pregnancies, and the societal pressures faced by women and young girls. This year, two key films will be showcased:
- Payung Dara (UMBREASTLLA): A collaborative film produced by Yayasan Kembang Gula and PUKAPS, this short film serves as an educational tool to introduce comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools and communities. It addresses the complexities of puberty, sexual harassment, and the lack of support systems for young girls, emphasizing the importance of SRHR education for both youth and adults.
- Telur Setengah Matang (Half-Cooked Egg): Directed by Reni Apriliana, this film focuses on unwanted pregnancies, sexual violence, and the scarcity of safe abortion options in Indonesia. This film highlights the systemic challenges that women face regarding reproductive rights and serves as a critical commentary on the need for better access to SRHR services.
These film screenings are followed by discussions with the filmmakers, SRHR experts, and audience members, creating a space for reflection, education, and advocacy. The discussions allow the community to explore the underlying issues presented in the films and consider collective solutions for addressing these pressing social problems.
#3 Book Discussion
The Book Discussion segment of FNFS provides a platform for feminist authors, activists, and readers to come together and explore the intersections of gender, sexuality, and society. This year’s featured book is Sebelum Perempuan Bercinta (Before Women Make Love) by Dea Safira.
The discussion, led by Luxy (PUKAPS Program Director) and local feminist figures Yulita and Atisa, explores the themes of bodily autonomy, sexual agency, and the social expectations placed on women in Indonesia.
Participants in the discussion are encouraged to reflect on their personal experiences and engage in open dialogue about the book’s themes, fostering a deeper understanding of the feminist issues at hand. This event emphasizes the role of literature as a powerful tool for feminist consciousness-raising and advocacy.
#4 Teater Forum Show “Hantu Pada Halaman Yang Hilang”
One of the standout events at the Nyala Feminist Festival Solo is the Forum Theater Show “Hantu Pada Halaman Yang Hilang”, a groundbreaking performance in collaboration with the talented theater actors of Mirat Kolektif.
This feminist theater collective from Solo brings together artists and activists to challenge social norms and raise awareness about women’s issues through performance. The show is centered around the theme of menstruation and draws inspiration from historical narratives and artifacts, particularly the life and works of S. Rukiyah, whose writings, including chapters on menstruation, have mysteriously gone missing.
#5 Art Exhibition
The Art Exhibition at FNFS showcases the artistic works created by local feminist artists and participants of the Art Therapy Workshop. The exhibition focuses on themes of menstruation, body autonomy, and the complexities of womanhood, challenging societal stereotypes and breaking taboos surrounding female bodies.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is a series of paintings by Atisa, which protest against the stereotypes, myths, and discrimination that many women face during menstruation. These artworks serve as a visual representation of the emotional and physical struggles women endure, turning personal experiences into public conversations.
The exhibition not only provides a platform for artists to share their feminist perspectives but also encourages community engagement. The art pieces serve as powerful conversation starters, inviting viewers to reconsider their views on gender norms, SRHR, and the intersectionality of women’s rights in Indonesia. Through this exhibition, FNFS hopes to inspire collective action towards dismantling oppressive systems and promoting gender equality.
