Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival 2023, Bring Messages Of Diversity To Indonesia

BOGOR - Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival 2023 is the face of diversity and tolerance in Bogor City. People from various levels of social and culture mingle into one enjoying parade along Jalan Suryakencana and Jalan Siliwangi, Bogor City.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibyo explained that the go meh stamp comes from the word cap go which means fifteen. Therefore, Cap Go Meh is the fifteenth night after the Chinese New Year or the closing of the Chinese New Year celebration. Celebration is also accompanied by hope that all will get blessings and goodness from the Almighty.

"I am proud because this event is included in the calendar of the Kharisma Even Nusantara National Event of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Hopefully more events will be included in our tourism calendar and we will support these events with local wisdom," said Angela.

The feeling of emotion also includes Angela because the city of Bogor is witnessed by her as a city full of diversity and tolerance. This diversity is a force that prospers the people.

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil also mentioned the Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival 2023 as the best face in maintaining diversity. Meanwhile, Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto also reminded all residents who attended the Cap Meh Bogor Street Festival 2023 not only looking for entertainment or hunting culinary.

"What distinguishes Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival from other events is to celebrate diversity. From there to there is here to celebrate brotherhood," he said.

He also mentioned that Cap Go Meh, which is held and can be celebrated together, is not just the result of planning for 1-2 days or 1-2 months, but the customary fruit of the city of Bogor since last year's weight.

"The Bogor City DNA is a love for diversity. Therefore, the Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival conveys a message from Bogor to Indonesia, united in diversity," he added.

Cap Go Meh is the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations for residents of Chinese descent, both Buddhist, Confucian, and others. In China, the Cap Go Meh celebration is marked by a lantern festival.

In Bogor City, Cap Go Meh celebrations are generally marked by a demonstration of the handover of statues of the gods as well as the game of lion dances and dragons. In recent years, the parade has become a festival of Indonesian cultural arts. The diversity of cultural arts has also appeared.

In 2023, the event began with Bogor's inohong (parents) with ruwatan and hadrah art. As an opening, the national anthem of Indonesia Raya was also sung together, followed by a prayer with all religious leaders.

Before the beating of the gong as a sign of the event was officially opened, the invited guests received cai lahan - a typical Sundanese drink that came from air nira.

The cultural arts parade began with the Drumband Pusdikzi, Menong Pangbagea Purwakarta, Buroq Cirebon, the appearance of Jamparing Pamaah Rasa from the Empang Tandang Kaheman Community, the drumband of Mardi Yuana School, the appearance of Ngaraksa from the Lengser Community of Ambu Bogor, Dangiang Pusaka Pajajaran, Ondel-ondel Taokung, Ondel-ondel Betawi, Angklung Banyumasan, Reog Ponorogo, Ciamis Nyerere, Gendang Belek Lombok, Ogoh-ogoh Bali, and the Drumband of the Defense University.

The parade was stopped at 18.15 am right at the time of the Maghrib call to prayer. Performance was also stopped as a tribute to the people who performed the Maghrib prayer. Around 18.30 p.m., the parade was back on.

Chairman of the Cap Go Meh Bogor Street Festival 2023 Arifin Himawan added that this event was supported by around 5,000 performers. A total of 20 stretchers will be paraded, 26 lion dance teams and dragons will appear to accompany this procession.

The Laspion, lion dance and lion, and toapkong gotong started at 19.00. A total of 26 lion dance and lion groups will appear along Jalan Suryakencana-Siliwangi. In addition, as many as 20 joli - decorated stretchers to carry the statue of the god paraded.