UNESCO Designates Reog Ponorogo As An Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Indonesia

UNESCO Designates Reog Ponorogo As An Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Indonesia

Thursday, 05 Dec 2024

Reog Ponorogo has officially been included in the list of intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the category of "In Need of Urgent Safeguarding." This designation was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Asunción, Paraguay, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar, who served as the head of the Indonesian delegation at the 19th ICH UNESCO Committee session, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee and all parties involved in recognizing Reog Ponorogo as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

"This recognition not only highlights the significance of Reog art but also reaffirms our commitment to preserving Indonesia's cultural identity for future generations," Ambassador Oemar stated in a press release on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Following the designation of Reog as an intangible cultural heritage, the Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, described it as a significant moment for Indonesia in the preservation of traditional arts deeply rooted in local values and the spirit of community cooperation.

"The Indonesian government, along with local communities, has undertaken various efforts to preserve Reog Ponorogo, including documentation, promotion, and integration into formal, informal, and non-formal education. We are also continuously empowering the artistic community as the primary guardians of this cultural heritage," Fadli remarked. In the same context, Minister Fadli Zon emphasized the crucial role of the younger generation in preserving traditional cultural arts.

"Reog Ponorogo is not merely a performance art; it embodies our identity and pride as a nation. We invite the youth to continue to learn about, love, and preserve this art so that the noble values it contains remain alive," he added.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as the Vice Chair of the Indonesian Delegation for the 19th Session of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, Sulaiman Syarif, expressed his pride in the global recognition of Reog Ponorogo.

"This UNESCO recognition can enhance cooperation and cultural exchange between Indonesia and friendly nations, not only in the Latin American region but also worldwide," stated Ambassador Sulaiman. Reog Ponorogo, a performing art originating from Ponorogo Regency in East Java, embodies a harmonious blend of dance, music, and mythology.

This art form reflects the courage, solidarity, and dedication that have characterized the Ponorogo community for centuries. Reog also symbolizes mutual cooperation, evident in its creative process, which involves everything from mask-making to collaboration among artists, craftsmen, and local communities.

With this designation, Reog Ponorogo officially becomes Indonesia's 14th Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed on the UNESCO list. Prior to this, other cultural elements such as Wayang, Keris, Batik, Batik Training, Angklung, Saman Dance, Noken, Three Genres of Balinese Traditional Dance, the Art of Pinisi Boat Making, Pencak Silat, Pantun, Gamelan, and the Healthy Culture of Drinking Jamu have already received UNESCO recognition. (ridwan@insightinnews.com)

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