Five Dehonian schools gathered on June 13th at the Yos Sudarso School (Lampung, Indonesia) for an art exhibition themed 'Compassion for the Common Good'.
On Friday, June 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., the shared campus of Yos Sudarso Metro Junior and Senior High Schools hosted Dehonian Art 2026. This collaborative arts showcase brought together five schools under the auspices of the Leo Dehon Catholic Education Foundation (Yayasan Pendidikan Katolik Leo Dehon): St. Antonius Elementary School Jakarta, St. Antonius Junior High School Jakarta, St. Antonius Senior High School Jakarta, Yos Sudarso Junior High School Metro, and Yos Sudarso Senior High School Metro. Centered on the theme “Compassion (Care, Empathy, and Sacrifice for the Common Good),” the event successfully built upon the legacy of the inaugural Dehonian Art held in Jakarta in 2025.
In his opening remarks, Br. Petrus Triantara, SCJ, Chairman of the Leo Dehon Catholic Education Foundation, urged students to ground compassion in their daily lives rather than treating it as a mere event theme. He encouraged them to embody care, empathy, and a spirit of service to others—a powerful message that served as the guiding thread weaving through the entire evening’s program.
Various Performance
Long before the curtains rose, students from all five schools had been deeply immersed in the creative process. They practiced tirelessly, collaborated across regions, and refined their routines for the invited guests. The resulting showcase featured a vibrant array of artistic disciplines, including a drum corps, musical ensembles, creative dance, choir, pencak silat, extracurricular parades, and traditional arts. Each school highlighted its unique identity and talent, weaving a tapestry of diversity that blended harmoniously on a single Dehonian stage.
The energy in the venue reached new heights with a special guest performance by Matthew Benedic, who delivered moving renditions of “Karena Cinta” and “Kejar Mimpi.” The song “Karena Cinta” served as a poignant reminder that every act of compassion stems from a heart capable of loving and understanding others—perfectly mirroring the spirit of this year’s theme. Together, both songs underscored that love and hope are the essential foundations for building a young generation of resilient character.
Musical Drama
The definitive highlight of the evening was the epic musical drama, “Putri Nuban: Light from a Caring Heart,” an adaptation of a local Lampung legend. The drama follows the story of Putri Nuban, who willingly sacrifices herself for the safety of her people and the preservation of nature. Through this performance, the students beautifully illustrated the essence of compassion highlighted in the opening remarks: the courage to prioritize the common good, share with others, and remain steadfastly caring amidst life’s challenges. The production proved that profound humanistic values can be powerfully communicated through art and teamwork.
This message of compassion resonated even more deeply because it was told through the lens of rich Lampung culture. Traditional Talo Balak music, regional dances, and local dialogue served as the perfect creative vehicles to convey sacrifice, care, and unity. The figure of Putri Nuban symbolizes that these noble values have thrived in Lampung culture since ancient times and remain vital for today’s youth to embody. By embracing local cultural works, the participants not only preserved their regional heritage but also broadcast universal messages of humanity to the broader community.
Dehonian Art 2026 drew enthusiastic praise from parents and honored guests alike. Through this collaborative journey, the students did more than just learn about art and creativity—they directly experienced the meaning of love, fellowship, and compassion in action. Looking ahead, Dehonian Art is poised to continue evolving as an inspiring, creative sanctuary for collaboration. It remains a platform that generates a positive impact on society, strengthens the fraternal bonds among Dehonian schools, and empowers the younger generation to ignite the spirit of Love, Compassion, Readiness, Sacrifice (locoresa) through art, culture, and concrete actions for the common good.
