Jakarta, UNESCO approved the proposal from the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Culture to include Reog Ponorogo as a world Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
This decision was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay on December 3, 2024. Thus, Reog Ponorogo is now officially the 14th intangible cultural heritage from Indonesia inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, in a virtual message delivered to the committee members and delegates of the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay, stated that the inscription of Reog Ponorogo as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO marks an important moment for Indonesia in the effort to preserve traditional arts and culture deeply rooted in local values and the spirit of mutual cooperation.
“The inclusion of Reog Ponorogo as a representation of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, which combines bravery, solidarity, and the beauty of local traditions into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is both a source of pride and a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve and pass it on to future generations,” said Fadli Zon.
Reog Ponorogo, which is a performing art from Ponorogo Regency, East Java, reflects the harmony between dance, music, and mythology. This art depicts the courage, solidarity, and dedication that have become the identity of the Ponorogo community for centuries.
Reog is also a symbol of mutual cooperation, reflected in its creative process, from mask-making to the collaboration between artists, craftsmen, and the local community.
Minister Fadli Zon highlighted the challenges of preserving traditional arts in the modern era. He emphasized that this inscription is an international recognition of Indonesia’s cultural wealth and a call to preserve it amidst the challenges of globalization and modernization. Reog Ponorogo must not become extinct, and its ecosystem must be revived, said Fadli.
He emphasized, “Reog Ponorogo is not just an art performance, but also a reflection of the identity, spirit, and resilience of the people of Ponorogo.” In this regard, the Government is committed to advancing national culture amidst global civilization and ensuring the freedom of society to preserve and develop its cultural values, as mandated by Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia,” said the Minister of Culture.
Encourage the Younger Generation to Preserve Traditional Culture
Currently, the Indonesian government, along with local communities, has undertaken various efforts to preserve Reog Ponorogo, ranging from documenting, promoting, to integrating it into formal, informal, and non-formal education. In addition, the government continues to empower the art community as the main guardians of cultural heritage.
On this occasion, Minister Fadli Zon also invited the younger generation to continue to know, love, and preserve Reog Ponorogo so that the noble values contained within it remain alive and can be passed down to the next generation.
“Let’s use this moment to strengthen our commitment to preserving traditional cultural arts as a cultural heritage that we safeguard together.” Reog Ponorogo is our pride, and it is our duty to ensure that this art continues to live on and inspire future generations,” concluded the Minister of Culture.
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