RRI.CO.ID, Cirebon — Visitors to Cirebon City Hall are now greeted by the Museum Topeng (Mask Museum), which has quickly become a focal point for cultural tourism in West Java. Established two years ago, the museum showcases the city’s distinctive mask tradition and is being promoted as a hub for preserving local artistry and history.

The museum’s growing role in cultural tourism was highlighted on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana toured its collection of traditional Cirebon masks. Her visit underscored national support for positioning the museum as a cultural icon.

Cirebon City Culture and Tourism Agency Head Agus Sukmanjaya explained that the museum is more than a gallery. “The museum has a fairly diverse collection of typical Cirebon masks, so it can be a means of education for the community as well as visitors from outside the region,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The Cirebon Mask Museum houses more than 130 traditional masks, each tied to local performing arts and rituals. Unlike masks from other regions, Cirebon’s masks are distinguished by their vivid expressions and symbolic roles in dance dramas, representing phases of life and moral lessons.

They are used in traditional performances such as Topeng Cirebon dance, which blends storytelling, spirituality, and cultural identity.

Agus emphasized its importance in introducing Cirebon’s mask art tradition and strengthening regional identity through history-based tourism.

To expand its reach, the city administration is pursuing digital promotion strategies. Minister Widiyanti encouraged content creators to participate in amplifying the museum’s presence on social media.

“The Minister of Tourism requested that these content creators participate in promoting the Mask Museum, not only for the people of Cirebon, but also for those outside the region,” Agus noted. The approach is aimed at attracting younger audiences who rely heavily on digital platforms for travel information.

Cirebon has already demonstrated strong tourism appeal. Disbudpar recorded 37,237 visitors to various destinations during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays, with many domestic tourists prioritizing historical sites such as the Mask Museum.

Minister Widiyanti expressed her admiration during the visit, remarking, “This museum is good, I am interested in several of its collections.”

Looking ahead, the city administration expects visitor numbers to rise during the upcoming Lebaran holiday season. With digital promotion and ministerial support, Cirebon aims to establish the Mask Museum as a must-see destination for those seeking to experience the cultural soul of West Java. ***