Bima Arya's Message For Bogor Street Festival To Continue

BOGOR - Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto advised that the activities of the Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh cultural festival, which the residents are always proud of, will continue as a symbol of unity and diversity that the city government and all elements of society have been fighting along this time.

Bima Arya, wearing a shirt with a red Chinese pattern and black pants, gave a speech on the main stage at Suryakencana Street, to be precise, in front of Plaza Bogor, Sunday.

In his remarks, Bima expressed his emotion that this cultural festival could be held again for the wider community to witness Suryakencana Street, which is known as an area with a very strong tolerance for its citizens.

"I would like to thank everyone, Mr. Governor, Mrs. Wamenparekraf, IPB Chancellor, Bogor residents, and Mr. Arifin Himawan from the committee. This is extraordinary, I hope this will continue, whoever the leader is," Bima said as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday 5 February.

The opening of the Bogor Street Festival this time was attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil, Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya Sugiarto, Deputy Mayor of Bogor Dedie Abdul Rachim, Chancellor of IPB Arif Satria and a number of interfaith figures as well as Chinese figures.

Bima revealed that he felt touched because the Cap Go Meh activity in 2023 was the last activity in his capacity as Mayor of Bogor because it would soon end in September.

He and his Deputy Dedie Abdul Rachim will part ways with the residents of Bogor City as regional leaders. However, said Bima, this cultural festival from Bogor for Indonesia must continue in the midst of the residents.

"Whoever the leader is, I hope Cap Go Meh will continue," he said, greeted by boisterous visitors.

At the opening of the Bogor Street Festival, Bima Arya also received awards from humanists. The cultural parade began to be held along Suryakencana Street.

The parade was led by the appearance of the Indonesian Armed Forces Marching Band wearing tiger costumes as a symbol that soldiers are able to mingle with the community with enthusiasm.

The annual cultural event which has been included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) national activity calendar will provide cultural entertainment in the form of Nusantara cultural performances.

Prior to the opening there was a ruwatan and hadroh performance from the Muslim community, followed by the opening of the activity.

Then, various West Javanese cultural performances from Bogor, Cirebon, Sukabumi, Karawang and so on.