RRI.CO.ID, Tenggarong - The vibrant cultural diversity of Kutai Kartanegara Regency in East Kalimantan, is a social force that continues to be nurtured through the activities of arts studios and communities. Various traditional arts from regions across the archipelago thrive and blend in this region, making art not only a cultural heritage but also a space for cross-ethnic and cross-identity encounters.

The Kutai Kartanegara Regency Administration is facilitating this growth by providing guidance and providing art equipment to active arts studios. This step is considered crucial for maintaining the sustainability of arts community activities while strengthening the social function of arts in a diverse society.

"Amidst globalization and technological developments, preserving regional arts and culture is crucial to ensure they are not eroded by time and remain recognized by the younger generation," Assistant II of the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Secretariat, Ahyani Fadianur Diani, said in Tenggarong on Monday, January 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He stated that the development is not only focused on the technical aspects of the performance, but also on community sustainability, from providing infrastructure, strengthening institutions, to promoting arts and culture so they can perform at a broader level.

This effort aligns with the Kutai Kartanegara Idaman Terbaik Program through strengthening regional arts and culture activists, a program focused on studio development, facilitating facilities and infrastructure, establishing institutional legality, and promoting arts and culture so they can perform at the regional and national levels.

"With administration support and community participation, it is hoped that the regional arts that have emerged in Kutai Kartanegara can continue to develop and be passed down from generation to generation as the region's cultural identity," he said.

The presence of jaranan dance group in Maluhu Village, Tenggarong, is a clear example of how traditional art can transcend ethnic boundaries and backgrounds. The Jaranan Karyo Turonggo Setho group, with members from various ethnic groups, demonstrates that art can be a common language that unites communities.

Ahyani appreciated the active participation of residents in maintaining the sustainability of this art form. He believes that cross-community involvement is proof that traditional arts remain relevant and beloved, especially when passed down through direct practice in social life.

"We should be proud that this jaranan art form is participated in by various ethnic groups. This demonstrates that regional arts, regardless of their form, always hold a place in the hearts of the Kutai Kartanegara community," he said.

Through continued support for art studios, the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Administration hopes that traditional arts will not only survive as relics of the past, but will continue to thrive as part of the dynamics of modern society, serving as a means of expression, unification, and cultural identity passed down from generation to generation. ***