INFOKU, BLORA – The Ponorogo Regency Government of East Java Province, together with the Blora Regency Government of Central Java Province, on Friday afternoon (16/10/2026), signed a joint agreement or memorandum of understanding (MoU).
This is related to the collaboration to support the preservation of the Barongan Blora cultural arts which is proposed to receive recognition from UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage from Indonesia through the USL Extension Reog Ponorogo route.
The signing was carried out directly by the Acting Regent of Ponorogo Lisdyarita, with the Regent of Blora Arief Rohman, at the Pringgitan of the Ponorogo Regent's Official Residence, flanked by Reog and Barongan masks.
Witnessed by the ranks of the Ponorogo Regency Government and the Blora Regency Government.
Present from Blora, accompanying the Regent were Deputy Regent Sri Setyorini, Deputy Chairperson of the Blora DPRD Lanova Candra Tirtaka, Chairperson of the Dekranasda Hj. Ainia Shalicah, Acting Blora Regional Secretary Dasiran, and relevant OPDs. Complete with Blora Barongan artists from activists, practitioners, academics, craftsmen, and barong dancers and Bolo Reog Blora.
In his remarks, Blora Regent Arief Rohman expressed his desire for the Blora Barongan to be registered and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in the same group as the Reog Ponorogo, to prevent it from being claimed by other regions.
"I remember a while back when I visited here. The Acting Regent reminded Blora to immediately register its art form with UNESCO through the Reog Ponorogo extension. So we're implementing the steps now, before other district governments, which also have barongan characters, do so," said Arief Rohman.
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Meanwhile, the Acting Regent of Ponorogo, Lisdyarita, appreciated the seriousness of the Regent of Blora and his staff, including the Barongan artist community, who had come all the way to Ponorogo to ask for support from UNESCO.
"Thank you to Blora Regency, including its extraordinary Regent. So this is an extension program to ensure everything runs smoothly, as Blora also proposes to UNESCO. We in Ponorogo are ready to assist with the process and the submission, as we did before. We will provide knowledge, including in the context of preserving culture. Hopefully, in the future, young people will become more enthusiastic about their culture. Blora and Ponorogo can increase their collaboration not only in arts and culture, but also in MSMEs and other areas," said Bunda Rita (her nickname).
Not only elements from the Ponorogo Regency Government, but elements of Reog Ponorogo artists also support Barongan Blora being able to enter UNESCO through the extension route or the expansion route of Reog Ponorogo.
After the signing, it was continued with a Reog Ponorogo performance with Barongan Blora in the Pringgitan yard of the Ponorogo Regent's Official Residence.
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The UNESCO Assistance Team that oversaw the registration of the Blora Barongan also took video documentation of the statement of support from the Ponorogo Regency Government and the reog artists to complete the documents for submitting the proposal to UNESCO.
Among them were the Kawula Bantarangin Arts Center in Sumoroto District, the Griya Reyog Tua Siman Center, and the Langen Kusuma Ronowijayan Babadan Dance Center. (Setyorini/KOM)
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