Jakarta – The 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay approved Indonesia’s proposal, through the Ministry of Culture, to list Reog Ponorogo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. Reog Ponorogo is now officially the 14th intangible cultural heritage of Indonesia to be inscribed on the UNESCO list.
The session took place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that UNESCO’s recognition of Reog Ponorogo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage was a significant moment for Indonesia.
“The inclusion of Reog Ponorogo as a representation of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, combining bravery, solidarity, and the beauty of local traditions into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is a source of pride as well as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve and pass it on to future generations,” Fadli said in a virtual speech to the committee members and delegations of the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay, as stated in the press release received on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
It is important to note that Reog Ponorogo is a traditional performance art originating from Ponorogo Regency in East Java. It reflects the harmony between dance, music, and mythology. This art portrays bravery, solidarity, and dedication that has become the identity of the Ponorogo community for centuries. Reog is also a symbol of mutual cooperation, reflected in its creative process, from the making of masks to the collaboration between artists, craftsmen, and local communities.
Fadli Zon then highlighted the challenges of preserving traditional arts in the modern era. He emphasized that international recognition of Indonesia’s cultural wealth serves as a call to preserve it amidst the challenges of globalization and modernization.
“We must not let Reog Ponorogo disappear, and we need to revive its ecosystem,” said Fadli.
“Reog Ponorogo is not just an art performance, but also a reflection of the identity, spirit, and resilience of the Ponorogo people. In this regard, the government is committed to advancing national culture amidst the civilization of the world and ensuring the freedom of the people to preserve and develop their cultural values, as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, Article 32, paragraph 1,” he added.
Currently, the Indonesian government, along with local communities, has made various efforts to preserve Reog Ponorogo, ranging from documentation, promotion, to integrating it into formal, informal, and non-formal education. Additionally, the government continues to empower the art communities as the main guardians of cultural heritage.
On this occasion, Minister Fadli Zon also invited the younger generation to continue to learn about, love, and preserve Reog Ponorogo so that the noble values contained in it will remain alive and be passed on to the next generation.
“Let us make this moment an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to preserving traditional cultural arts as cultural heritage that we protect together. Reog Ponorogo is our pride, and it is our task to ensure that this art continues to live and inspire future generations,” he concluded.
