KBRN, Yogyakarta: The Yogyakarta Special Region Province Administration has received the designation of 33 Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritages (WBTb) and 28 National Cultural Heritage Sites at the 2025 WBTb Indonesia Appreciation Night, held in Jakarta on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Yogyakarta was also recognized as the region with the most National Cultural Heritage designations in 2025. The certificates were presented by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha, to the Head of the Yogyakarta Special Region Cultural Agency (Kundha Kabudayan), Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi.

Dian emphasized that the designation of intangible and tangible cultural heritage is a strategic step in strengthening the legality of cultural works and assets in Yogyakarta.

This legal recognition, she explained, provides the foundation for managing heritage through protection, utilization, and development. “This certification is part of data collection to strengthen legality. If legality is strong, cultural management will have a solid foundation, both in planning and budgeting,” Dian said in a statement released Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as reported by the Yogyakarta Special Region Administration official website.

Of the approximately 40 WBTb proposals submitted by Yogyakarta this year, 33 passed the rigorous national assessment process, which involved expert review and field verification. These cultural works are divided into four domains: Tradition and Oral Expression; Performing Arts; Customs, Society, Rites, and Celebrations; and Traditional Craft Skills and Proficiency.

The Tradition and Oral Expression domain includes children’s games such as Dolanan Soyang, Dolanan Lepetan, Ingkling, Dingklik Oglak-Aglik, Sesorah Gaya Yogyakarta, Jethungan, Gamparan, and Ancak-Ancak Alis.

The Performing Arts domain features classical dances and dramas, including Beksan Tuguwasesa, Bedhaya Gandakusuma, Sruntul, Reog Keprajuritan, Srimpi Layu-Layu, and Srimpi Dhendhang Sumbawa.

Customs and Rites include traditions such as Selikuran Night, Goa Cerme’s Jodhangan, and the Nguras Sendang Angin-Angin ceremony. Traditional Craft Skills encompass culinary and artisanal works, including Serabi Kocor (Yogyakarta), Bakmi Jawa (Gunungkidul), Kolombeng (Kulon Progo), and Tenong.

In addition, Yogyakarta received 28 National Cultural Heritage designations, encompassing buildings, objects, and historical sites. These include the Sonobudoyo Museum Building, designed by Thomas Karsten; statues in the Sonobudoyo collection, such as Vajrapani and Vinayaka; and historic buildings such as state-run high school SMAN 3, Dr. “YAP” Eye Hospital, the Dharma Wiratama Army Central Museum, and the Yogyakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) Building.

Other sites include the Ambarukmo Recreation Center, the venue of the 1959 Colombo Plan Conference, the site of the 1948 Trilateral Meetings in Kaliurang, and the Tombs of the Kings of Islamic Mataram in Imogiri.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon noted that the designation of Indonesian Cultural Heritage in 2025 has increased significantly nationwide, with 514 new entries from 35 provinces. “This designation is the culmination of a lengthy data collection process and adds to the total number of Indonesian Cultural Heritage Sites, which now stands at 2,727,” he said.

Restu Gunawan, Director General of Cultural and Tradition Protection at the Ministry of Culture, added that the surge in designations was driven by greater regional participation. Of the 804 proposals submitted, a rigorous selection process was conducted across multiple stages of assessment and field verification.

Through this achievement, the Yogyakarta Special Region Administration reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection and sustainable management of cultural heritage as part of efforts to preserve regional identity and enrich national culture. ***