DIY Village Heads' Association to Hold Cultural Parade for 80th Birthday of Sultan HB X

Yogyakarta - The association of village heads in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), united under Nayantaka, is preparing to hold a cultural parade to mark the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Yogyakarta Palace and Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X, on 2 April 2026.

“This event serves as a form of respect and an expression of gratitude for the king’s leadership, which is seen as always providing an example in serving the community,” said Nayantaka Chairman Gandang Hardjanata in Yogyakarta on Monday.

According to him, the activity represents a historic moment because it has never been held before since the era of independence.

“Through this parade, village-level government together with the community will pay homage to present birthday wishes to Ngarsa Dalem (Sultan HB X),” he said.

In the parade, he added, each village will bring harvest yields according to their respective regional potentials. These yields will then be handed over to Ngarsa Dalem and redistributed to the community in need through the local government.

“We want to offer a portion of the harvest yields that have been entrusted to the village level to be cultivated,” he said.

“The parade procession will start from the Yogyakarta city area, then Sleman Regency, Bantul, Kulon Progo, and Gunungkidul. The village heads and officials will wear complete traditional Ngayogyakarta attire, while the community is encouraged to wear batik or Javanese traditional clothing,” he said.

Head of the DIY Transportation Department, Chrestina Erni Widyastuti, stated that the local government fully supports the implementation of the event, including traffic arrangements.

According to her, several road sections will be closed to support the smooth running of the parade, especially in the Malioboro area up to the Zero Kilometre Point, which will serve as the gathering point for participants.

“Incoming traffic from Malioboro will be closed because many residents will be walking towards the Yogyakarta Palace, even though the initial starting gathering point at Zero Kilometre we have already closed from the north side, from the east side of Senopati Street and the west side of Zero Kilometre will also be closed,” she said.

She views this event as an important moment that demonstrates the strong relationship between the Yogyakarta community and its king.