Blora’s Barongan Seeks UNESCO Recognition and Global Reach
The Ponorogo Regency Government in East Java and the Blora Regency Government in Central Java signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday afternoon (16 October 2026). The agreement concerns support for preserving the Barongan Blora art form, which is being proposed for recognition by UNESCO as Indonesian intangible cultural heritage through the Reog Ponorogo USL extension route.
The agreement was signed by Ponorogo Acting Regent Lisdyarita and Blora Regent Arief Rohman at the Pringgitan of the Ponorogo regent’s official residence. The Blora delegation included Deputy Regent Sri Setyorini, Blora Regional House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lanova Candra Tirtaka, Regional National Crafts Council chair Ainia Shalicah, Acting Regional Secretary Dasiran and relevant agency officials. Barongan Blora artists and practitioners also attended, including academics, craftspeople, barong dancers and members of Bolo Reog Blora.
In his remarks, Blora Regent Arief Rohman said he wanted Barongan Blora to be registered and recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in the same cultural family as Reog Ponorogo, so that it would not be claimed by another region.
“We want Barongan Blora to become one of the UNESCO heritage entries through the extension route, following Reog Ponorogo. We ask Acting Regent Lisdyarita for her support so that we can follow the path of Reog Ponorogo, which has already been recognised by UNESCO,” Arief said on Saturday (17 October 2026).
“Some time ago, when I visited here, the Acting Regent reminded us that Blora should register its art with UNESCO through an extension of Reog Ponorogo. We are now taking the necessary steps, before another regency with its own barongan tradition gets ahead of us,” Arief added.
Ponorogo Acting Regent Lisdyarita praised the commitment shown by the Blora regent, his team and the Barongan artists, who had travelled to Ponorogo to seek support for the UNESCO bid.
“Thank you to Blora Regency, including its outstanding regent. This extension programme is intended to ensure that everything goes smoothly as Blora submits its proposal to UNESCO. Ponorogo is ready to help with the process and application, as we did previously. We will share our knowledge, including on preserving culture. Hopefully, young people will become increasingly interested in their own traditions. Blora and Ponorogo can strengthen cooperation not only in arts and culture, but also in small and medium-sized enterprises and other areas,” said Lisdyarita, commonly known as Bunda Rita.
Reog Ponorogo artists, as well as representatives of the Ponorogo Regency Government, also expressed support for Barongan Blora’s inclusion through an extension of the Reog Ponorogo listing.
After the signing, Reog Ponorogo and Barongan Blora performances were held in the grounds of the Pringgitan at the regent’s official residence.
The UNESCO application assistance team overseeing the Barongan Blora bid also filmed statements of support from the Ponorogo Regency Government and Reog artists for the application documents. Filming took place at the Kawula Bantarangin Arts Centre in Sumoroto district, the Griya Reyog Tua Siman arts centre, and the Langen Kusuma Ronowijayan dance centre in Babadan.