laten regency in Central Java is set to hold 40 festivals throughout 2018 in an effort to attract tourists to visit the regency, which is also known as the city of a thousand springs.
Klaten Tourism, Youth and Sports Agency head Pantoro said on Friday that the number of festivals was higher compared with last year’s tourism calendar, which only consisted of 31 events. “This year we’ve increased it to 40 events and all of them are festivals,” he said.
Pantoro added that the 2018 events would begin on Feb.14 at Randulanang village in Jatinom, followed by a lurik cloth festival in April.
“All the festivals are being held in an effort to boost Klaten's tourism, art and culture promotion. Tourism has been having a positive influence on the local economy,” Pantoro explained. He added that Klaten’s tourism potential did not only include natural destinations and family activities such as Umbul Ponggok, Umbul Manten and Mount Merapi’s pine forests. There are also craft centers that can be explored by tourists such as the Bayat ceramics, Juwiring umbrellas and Pedan woven lurik.
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“We are also highlighting the traditional arts this year. One of the efforts to do this is through the Gambyong festival in July. Thousands of dancers will dance the Gambyong dance simultaneously. This can be similar to the famous Gandrung Banyuwangi,” Pantoro said.
Prior to the Gambyong festival in July, the regency will also host the Etno Music Sound Fest, which will involve renowned choreographer Guruh Soekarnoputra. The event will be held to commemorate World Music Day, and to promote Klaten’s temple tourism by featuring replicas of the temples onstage. There will also be another event entitled Pesta Beksan that will be held together with the Etno Music Sound Fest.
Klaten Tourism, Youth And Sports Agency secretary Sutopo said there would be 36 wayang kulit [shadow puppet] performances throughout 2018. Five of which will be included in the agency’s calendar and the rest will be held by the cultural board.
According to the head of the Klaten cultural board, Sunarna, there will be three massive events throughout 2018 with a budget of Rp 1 billion. The budget is a grant from the Klaten regency. “We are trying to push Klaten’s traditional culture because it has big potential. We will feature 80 ketoprak troupes and 300 karawitan troupes in the upcoming Pesta Beksan event.” (asw)
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