Grebeg Suro 2025, Reog Ponorogo And Ponorogo's Dreams Enter The UNESCO Creative City Network

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, who was present in the grebeg suro (photo: dock. kemenbud)

Ponorogo The Grebeg Suro 2025 Stage peaked in Ponorogo Square. Thousands of pairs of eyes watched heirloom carnivals, cultural carnivals, and performances of 40 Reog groups from various regions from Surabaya to Papua. However, this year, Grebeg Suro is not just a regular celebration. But it became a historic moment after Reog Ponorogo was designated as World Takbent Cultural Heritage (WBTb) by UNESCO on December 3, 2024 in Paraguay.

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, who was present at the closing on June 26, 2025, emphasized the importance of this moment. Reog Ponorogo is a reflection of the mega diversity of Indonesian culture, and the recognition of this world is the result of the long struggle of figures, artists and the community," said Fadli in a written statement as quoted on Friday, June 27.

In the midst of the lively event, Fadli called Grebeg Suro as proof of people's love for culture. More than that, he said, this is a momentum to make culture the foundation of national development, in accordance with the mandate of Article 32 of the 1945 Constitution. We must advance Reog in the changing epochs," he said.

Grebeg Suro this year will be held from June 4 to June 29, 2025. Not only art performances, this event also embraces religious communities, sports lovers, to creative economy actors. The Reog Ponorogo National Festival is the main agenda in the midst of 32 series of activities prepared by the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports (Disbudparpora) Ponorogo Regency.

The Regent of Ponorogo, Sugiri Sancoko, called this celebration a "employment of art and creative industry". Unmitigated, the local government is currently proposing Ponorogo to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Reog is already worldwide, it's time for Ponorogo to follow suit. Hopefully by the end of this year we will be designated as a world creative city," Sugiri hoped.

More importantly, Grebeg Suro is not just a matter of viewing. He is proof of the success of cultural regeneration. Young people appear on stage, mingling with maestro Reog, in one spirit of maintaining and inheriting traditions.

This closure was also attended by a number of figures. They include the Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi, the Regent of Jombang Warsubi, the Regent of Tulungagung Gatut Sunu, and other regional heads from East Java. There were representatives from the Ministry, DPR, DPD RI, to Special Staff of the Minister of Culture such as Basuki Teguh Yuwono and Putri Woelan Sari.