The Bogor administration is set to revitalize seven traditional arts that are facing extinction. 

According to Bogor Cultural Protector Association head Bambang Sumantri, the seven traditional arts are Blantek, Cibatokan, Babengan, Bogoran wayang, Pantun Buhun, Rengkong Hatong and Mount Sindur Cokek Gambang Kromong. 

The administration will carry out the project in several phases, which means revitalizing two traditional arts per year, beginning with Blantek and Angkluk Gubrak.

"Our purpose is to spread awareness to the people of Bogor that there are Bogor Sundanese arts that have been around for hundreds of years and need to be preserved, such as Angklung Gubrak that is original art from Cigudeg district. The tourism agency is supporting this," said Bambang.

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Since 1950, Bogor has served as the center of Sundanese art in West Java. However many art forms are no longer celebrated, such as Ajeng that utilizes gamelan. Instead of Bogor as its place of origin, Ajeng can be found in Karawang and Ciamis.

"The challenges we faced in revitalizing these traditional arts are the long distances that we have to cover and the fact that those inheriting the arts are mostly uneducated," said Bambang.

Meanwhile, Bogor Arts Council chairman Erwin said he highly appreciated the efforts initiated by the association in saving Sundanese traditional arts.

"I think such revitalization efforts should become a permanent program to highlight the existence of other arts that are facing extinction," said Erwin. (vit/kes)

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