3.000 Temanggung Students Dance Jaran Kepang, a Form of Preservation of Local Culture

SEMARANG - Efforts to preserve traditional art continue to be carried out by involving young people so that cultural heritage remains alive in the midst of the development of time. One of the tangible forms of this commitment is seen in the mass jaran kepang dance performance held at the Temanggung Regency Square.

A total of 3,000 jaran kepang dancers consisting of elementary, middle, and high school students also took part in the activity. This colossal action was held in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of SMK Swadaya Temanggung in 2026.

Deputy Regent of Temanggung, Nadia Muna, expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in the organization of the event. He assessed that this activity was the result of cooperation and careful preparation that deserved recognition.

According to him, the appearance of the jaran kepang dance in a mass manner is not only a form of entertainment, but also reflects a joint commitment to maintaining and preserving traditional cultural arts. The jaran kepang dance is said to be one of the symbols of the Temanggung Regency cultural identity that needs to be continued to be passed on.

He explained that the jaran kepang contains various noble values, such as togetherness, discipline, toughness, and love for the nation's culture. These values are considered important to be instilled in the younger generation from an early age.

Through large-scale art activities, it is hoped that young people will not lose their cultural identity, as well as being able to build strong characters in the midst of globalization challenges.

Nadia Muna also admitted that she was proud to see students from various levels of education able to appear compact and full of enthusiasm. According to him, this shows that education in Temanggung does not only focus on the academic aspect, but also on character formation and concern for local culture.

He emphasized that the dancers not only perform a dance, but also convey a message that Temanggung has a solid, brave, and loving young generation of its cultural heritage. Jaran kepang dance, he continued, is a cultural heritage that is full of meaning about courage, strength, togetherness, and the spirit of not giving up.

The Temanggung Regency Government, he said, is committed to continuing to support various art and cultural activities, both through educational institutions and the use of public spaces such as Temanggung Square.

Through this support, he hopes that Temanggung will not only be known as an agricultural area, but also as a district that is rich in art, culture, and the creativity of its young generation.