Lestari Moerdijat: Preserving Lengger Strengthens Character and National Awareness of Future Generations

The preservation of Lengger Banyumas art is not solely an effort to safeguard cultural heritage, but a strategic part of strengthening the character and national awareness of future generations. Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Lestari Moerdijat revealed this during a public aspiration absorption event themed ‘Strengthening the Substance of Democracy and National Ethics’, packaged as a talk show on the topic ‘Lengger Banyumas: Guarding Heritage, Nurturing National Consciousness’. The event, held at Pendopo Sipanji in Banyumas Regency, Purwokerto, Central Java, on Monday (15/6), was attended by Banyumas Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono, Deputy Chairman of Commission XII Sugeng Suparwoto, Lengger Bicara Patron Andy Flores Noya, as well as art activists and the local community. “When we talk about Lengger Banyumasan, we are actually talking about how we guard our heritage, and more than that, it is an effort to nurture national consciousness,” said Lestari. Rerie, as Lestari is affectionately known, opined that culture is the moral infrastructure of democracy. She stressed that democracy will never stand firm without cultural roots. Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), reminded the audience that democracy is often narrowed down to mere political contestation, elections, or power struggles. “In fact, democracy requires a deeper foundation. Democracy needs citizens who respect one another, appreciate differences, and have a sense of their culture and nation. This is the core of culture,” she asserted. The legislator from the Central Java II electoral district quoted Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which states that the state is obliged to advance Indonesia’s national culture amidst world civilisation. Rerie emphasised that culture is not merely a complement to development, but the soul, breath, and an inseparable part of national development. Furthermore, Rerie appreciated the artists and cultural figures of Banyumas who consistently promote and preserve Lengger, including reviving the philosophy behind the dance. Rerie encouraged efforts to nominate Lengger as a world cultural heritage item, after it was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. “State recognition is important because it is not just an administrative record, but a form of acknowledgement that Lengger is truly an inseparable part of this nation’s journey,” she said. The member of the NasDem Party High Council reminded that the greatest challenge today is not the disappearance of art or performances, but the loss of memory and connection between the younger generation and their own culture. “The younger generation must not lose their connection to their culture. Because by losing the connection to culture, the nation will lose its memory,” Rerie stated. She stressed that cultural preservation must not be burdened solely on cultural communities and artists; it must become a collective movement involving all stakeholders and society. “A great nation is one that has strong roots and is capable of keeping its cultural heritage alive amidst changing times,” concluded Rerie.