KRP Preserves Tradition and Struggle for Reyog as World Cultural Heritage

The Reyog Ponorogo Community (KRP) continues to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding, nurturing, and promoting Reyog Ponorogo art as a vital part of the archipelago’s cultural wealth, following its global recognition by UNESCO. “Entering KRP’s 12th year and the 530th anniversary of Ponorogo Regency serves as a reminder that cultural preservation requires the involvement of various elements of society,” said KRP Deputy Chairman Suparno in Jakarta on Tuesday. Suparno stated that KRP was founded by Reyog Ponorogo activists in Jakarta and its surrounding areas to ensure the continuity of this traditional art from Ponorogo within the urban society of Jakarta. Furthermore, the community supported international recognition from UNESCO and the preservation of Reyog Ponorogo as part of the Nusantara culture. “We want the younger generation to continue to know, love, and help safeguard this art,” he said. KRP’s struggle to preserve Reyog Ponorogo gained further attention when issues arose during the attempt to nominate Reyog as a UNESCO world cultural heritage. According to Suparno, the initial failure of Reyog’s nomination became a momentum for cultural activists not to stop fighting for international recognition. He said KRP then took steps by conveying its aspirations to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). Reyog activists from Jakarta and surrounding areas were subsequently received by Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, some time ago. KRP expressed its hope that the DPR RI would support the struggle for Reyog Ponorogo’s recognition as a UNESCO world cultural heritage. He noted that support from state institutions is crucial because the struggle for UNESCO recognition is not merely about obtaining an international title, but also about building awareness that traditional art is a national identity and asset that must be protected sustainably. He expressed pride and gratitude that Reyog Ponorogo has been officially recognised and inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, becoming the 14th Indonesian intangible cultural heritage to be designated by the UN organisation. “The category is inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding,” he said. He explained that Reyog Ponorogo not only presents an artistic performance but also embodies historical values, philosophy, traditions, music, dance, and the social life of the community passed down from generation to generation. According to him, the momentum of KRP’s 12th anniversary on 11 August 2026 serves as a reflection on the community’s journey while reaffirming the commitment to preserve Reyog Ponorogo. “For us, caring for Reyog means caring for a part of Indonesia’s identity. Because when a tradition remains alive among a new generation, what is being preserved is not just a performance, but also the history, values, and identity of the nation,” he said.