Invite The Community To Preserve Intangible Cultural Heritage, East Java Governor Khofifah: Promotion To The International World

Governor Khofifah in the Wayang Kulit event in the context of the 78th Anniversary of East Java Province in Ponorogo District Square (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of East Java (Jatim) Khofifah Indar Parawansa invites all elements of society, especially local and national cultural lovers, to participate in maintaining and preserving the unobjected cultural heritage, such as the art of wayang kulit or Reog Ponorogo which has been recognized by UNESCO.

"This (unESCO recognition) is an extraordinary progress and we should protect and preserve it together to promote national culture to the international community," Governor Khofifah said in his remarks while watching the Wayang Kulit performance in the context of the 78th Anniversary of East Java Province in Ponorogo District Square, Sunday morning. Quoted by Antara.

The event which was also attended by the Regent of Ponorogo Sugiri Sancoko was the second point of a total of five points of the Wayang Kulit show which was held in the context of the 78th Anniversary of East Java Province.

The shadow puppet performance was performed by Ki Rudiyanto from Blitar with Wahyu Manik Moyo. Meanwhile, Limbukan was performed by Cak Kirun and Cak Marwoto.

The middle of the limbukan scene, Governor Khofifah took the time to greet the thousands of people who were present and had a casual dialogue with Cak Kirun and Cak Marwoto. According to him, the art of shadow puppets is not only held to entertain but is full of moral and ethical messages in life.

Wayang has been designated by UNESCO since 7 November 2003 as an amazing cultural work in the field of narratives and beautiful and valuable cultural heritage. Then re-entered UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage as of 4 November 2008 in Istanbul Turkey.

According to Khofifah, UNESCO's recognition of wayang is a proud achievement for Indonesia, so that it can become a tool to promote, preserve, and understand Indonesia's cultural heritage. Therefore, his party held puppets at five points in East Java.

"Not without reason, this is an effort to preserve wayang that has been recognized by UNESCO to be more intensive and can inspire and educate future generations," he said.

Khofifah added that there are many philosophys of life that can be narrated through wayang and art in puppets that are not easily imitated by theatrical and drama because the story is long and full of philosophical values, both historical, life, and struggle.

"Wayang is a global cultural icon and is the gateway to deepen understanding of Indonesian culture," he said.

Furthermore, he also invited all people of East Java to continue to maintain peace, peace, unity, and brotherhood ahead of the 2024 General Election. According to him, whoever is the Indonesian leader as a result of the election is elected will be the nation's best cadre.

"Therefore, keep brotherhood and unity during the election. Be able (to be easy)," said Governor Khofifah, who was immediately answered enthusiastically by the people present.

Cak Kirun responded to Governor Khofifah's advice. He said Governor Khofifah's attention to wayang art was based on Pancasila and religion, so that efforts to maintain national unity and integrity were maintained.

"He observes and pays attention to wayang, so it is likened to a character in the puppet of Kunti Tali Broto who protects the people of East Java based on the principle of Pancasila," he said.