Semarang Able To Unggungli Bali Tourism, Director Of Sido Muncul Irwan Hidayat Gives The Evidence

Director of Sido Muncul, Irwan Hidayat. (Photo: Doc. Sido Muncul)

JAKARTA - A cultural arts show in Semarang Old Town, "Wayang On The Street" was again held on August 11, 2023, precisely in the Borsumy Parking area with the theme "Building Suroloyo"

The manager of Ngesti Pandowo as well as the initiator of Wayang On The Street, Drg. Grace W. Susanto said that this kind of puppet performance is very good to improve the existence of wayang people who are currently being marginalized. The hope is that millennials today have pride and feel that they have an Indonesian cultural heritage that should be preserved.

"As for the history of the performance of Wayang On The Street, it has to go through a long struggle. When it happened last year, I was confused about having to find a sponsor and it turned out that only Sido Muncul had a concern for this cultural heritage," said Drg. Grace.

"Therefore, today at the 12th Puppet On The Street performance, on August 11, 2023, we give awards to Irwan Hidayat," added Drg. Grace.

"I am happy and grateful to receive this award from the wayang lover community," said Irwan Hidayat.

"I have known wayang people since the age of three. Together with grandmother, Mrs. Rakhmat soelistyo, the founder of Jamu Sido appeared. We both always watch wayang Soboharti people next to Dargo Semarang market. The commitment I like is Mahabharata by RA Kosasih," added Irwan.

According to Irwan Hidayat, who is the Director of Sido Muncul, Semarang City has the potential to become a tourist destination and be able to beat Bali. Semarang has Sam Po Kong, Kota Lama, Lawang Sewu, Culinary City, China Town, Industrial City, Karimun Java, Candi Songo, Bandungan, Visit to the Sido Muncul Herbal Medicine Factory, Rawa Pening.

The Old City which is an option for the performance of Wayang On The Street with various unique buildings and architectures. In addition, there are still many other tourist destinations that are no less attractive, such as Sam Poo Kong, Lawang Sewu, Karimun Java, Religi Tourism, such as the historic Demak Mosque, Goa Maria Kerep, Temple which are scattered in the city of Semarang and the friendly residents of Semarang.

It is located in the middle between Surabaya, Cirebon, the surrounding population of Semarang, namely Yogyakarta, Solo, Magelang, Pekalongan, Tegal, Cirebon, Kudus, Pati, Jepara with a population of 18 million people becoming the potential for Semarang tourism.

"We are also planning to build the Tentrem Sport Center, Tennis Academi Tentrem, Tentrem Sport Hotel in Klipang, East Semarang, namely eight hardcourt indoor tennis courts, four indoor kilometers tennis courts, six outdoor hardcourt tennis courts, one tennis stage with a capacity of 2,300 spectators equipped with complete Gym facilities for tennis sports and 52 bay driving range," explained Irwan.

It is planned that various national and international tennis tournaments will be held at this sports center.

"Semarang can be a center for Indonesian tennis activities. The existing stadium can also be used for badminton tournaments, basketball, as well as music concerts," concluded Irwan.