Shadow Puppet Performance on Tuesday Kliwon Night Floods RSPD Klaten Courtyard with Spectators
The Klaten Regency Government, through the Culture, Youth, and Sports Office and Tourism (Disbudporapar), held a shadow puppet performance on Tuesday Kliwon night in the courtyard of the Sunan Pandanarang Building (RSPD) in Klaten.
The shadow puppet show, held on Monday night (23/3), featured two puppeteers, Ki KRAT Radyo Adinegoro and Ki Gendreh Kemasan, presenting the story or play Tunggul Wulung.
The cultural arts event was attended by Acting Head of Disbudporapar Purwanto representing the Regent of Klaten, Sumarsyam from Wesleyan University, USA, as well as cultural figures Alan Fenistein, AL Suwardi, and Danis Sugiyanto from Surakarta.
The Tuesday Kliwon night shadow puppet entertainment in the RSPD Klaten courtyard was also flooded with hundreds of local residents, leading to overcrowding. Many returning holidaymakers also joined to enjoy the entertainment.
Regent of Klaten, Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo, in an opening written speech read by Acting Head of Disbudporapar Purwanto, conveyed Eid al-Fitr 1447 H greetings and apologies for any shortcomings.
Then, Hamenang, on behalf of the regency government, warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the organisation of the Tuesday Kliwon night shadow puppet performance in the RSPD Klaten courtyard.
The Tuesday Kliwon night shadow puppet performance serves as one response to the commitment of the Klaten Regency Government together with the organising committee in contributing to uplifting and preserving local cultural roots.
“This shadow puppet activity also aims to entertain local residents and returning holidaymakers celebrating Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah in Klaten,” said Regent Hamenang.
It should be noted that amid the influx of foreign cultures or the abundance of modern trendy entertainment options, popular entertainment, particularly shadow puppet shows like this one, never lacks an audience.
“The flood of spectators is evidence of the great attention from the community towards their own cultural roots. This spirit of cultural love must continue to be maintained and nurtured to be passed on to children and grandchildren,” he explained.
This sense of joy does not diminish our essence of gratitude to Allah for the smooth progress of Klaten Regency’s development achieved so far. Integrity, unity, and security of the region become the capital for development.
For this reason, Hamenang invited all levels of society to support the government and actively participate in development steps according to their roles and capabilities.
“Let us maintain togetherness. Strengthen the unity and solidarity of residents with light steps in visiting each other, and building social relations to create security and order in the community,” he stated.
In addition to serving as a cultural education medium, this event also serves as a khaul, as a form of prayer and respect for Bung Karno.