Cap Go Meh Bogor 2025 Starts, Presents Traditional Salawat And Dances

Using Hadroh's musical instrument, the performer for the Cap Go Meh 2025 Cultural Festival on Jalan Suryakencana, Bogor City, Wednesday (12/2/2025) (VOI)

Chairman of the Arifin Himawan committee in his speech said that the 2025 CGM carries the theme "A New Beginning" and displays the diversity of Indonesian culture.

This parade involves about 5,000 performers and committees, as well as 1,000 security personnel, making it one of the largest cultural arts festivals in Indonesia. A total of 77 art groups from within and outside the city of Bogor will participate, with 41 groups coming from Bogor and 34 others from nine provinces outside West Java.

This event will present Joli Ma Zu, Dewi Lautan who is from Taiwan, as one of the main attractions. Ma Zu is known in Chinese culture as the goddess of protecting sailors and a symbol of safety.

In addition, eight war gods with unique attractions of "no sound" will also appear. They are believed to be able to expel negative energy.

Menuju petang, sekitar pukul 19.00, kawasan Pecinan Suryakencana semakin semarak. Para pengunjung, baik wisatawan lokal maupun internasional, memadati bibir Jalan Lawang Surya Kencana, dan parade kebudayaan sepanjang 2,1 kilometer segera dimulai.

Salah satu pengunjung, Evellyn (19) asal Kota Bogor sangat senang bisa menonton pertunjukan budaya yang megah di Kota Bogor. Ia yang datang bersama orang tua dan adik-adiknya menilai festival budaya seperti ini mesti terus diselenggarakan.

"The event is good every year, I am always enthusiastic about watching and it is hoped that grand cultural parties like this can be held twice a year," he said.