Banyumas Regent Establishes 'Lengger Bicara' as Annual Cultural Agenda

Banyumas Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono has established Banyumas Lengger Bicara as an annual cultural agenda to strengthen the preservation of tradition while encouraging the region to become a cultural tourism destination. “Lengger Bicara will become an annual event in Banyumas Regency,” he said during a press conference for Road to Banyumas Lengger Bicara 2026 at Pendopo Si Panji, Purwokerto, on Monday afternoon. According to him, the event, now entering its third year, is an effort to maintain the sustainability of traditional arts, particularly the lengger dance as Banyumas’ cultural identity. In addition to Lengger Bicara, the Banyumas Regency Government will also make several other cultural activities routine agendas, including ‘Ngibing 24 Jam’ initiated by Banyumas artist Rianto. He said strengthening the cultural agenda is part of a strategy for developing tourism based on local culture. He also affirmed a commitment to maintaining jemparingan activities in the Banyumas Old Town area as a tourist attraction as well as a means of cultural preservation. “I want Banyumas to become a cultural tourism destination, including the Banyumas cultures that we possess,” said the Regent. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Banyumas Lengger Bicara 2026 Committee R Satria Setyanugraha said the event, which will be held at Menara Teratai Purwokerto on 26 June 2026, carries the theme ‘Gemah Ripah Loh Jinawi’, depicting natural fertility and community prosperity. According to him, the theme serves as a reminder that society still possesses hope and the ability to thrive amidst various challenges. Banyumas Lengger Bicara 2026 will present three main agendas: Art Camp, Lenggeran Bareng, and the main performance ‘Senandung Tanah Makmur’. The man familiarly called Bagus said the Art Camp will be held on 25-26 June 2026 targeting children aged 5-10 years. “Participants will learn calung music, lengger dance, and make lengger puppets from recycled plastic bottle materials,” he said. On Friday afternoon (26/6), Lenggeran Bareng will be held, targeting approximately 5,000 participants at Menara Teratai Purwokerto. This activity is also part of the effort to bring Banyumas Lengger Bicara into the 2027 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) programme. “In the evening, the main performance will be held, preceded by the presentation of awards to Banyumas art and culture maestros, namely Peang Penjol and Suliyah,” said Bagus. Director of Banyumas Lengger Bicara 2026 Ridwan Bungsu said the performance will begin with a staging of lengger maestro Rianto’s work titled ‘Sastra Jiwaga’, which has been performed in various countries. Subsequently, the colossal performance ‘Senandung Tanah Makmur’ will showcase a collaboration of various Nusantara dances, including Banyumas lengger, East Java ngremo, West Java jaipong, and other regional arts blended into one presentation. Banyumas Lengger Bicara 2026 Patron Andy F. Noya said the event not only plays a role in cultural preservation but also has the potential to drive the regional economy through the tourism sector. According to him, the collaboration between Banyumas Lengger Bicara and BRI Jazz Gunung Slamet, which is held close together on 26-27 July, is expected to attract tourists, communities, and creative economy players to Banyumas. “We hope this becomes a unified force capable of bringing economic potential to Banyumas through tourism and culture,” he said.