KBRN, Trenggalek: More than a traditional arts performance, the Trenggalek Open Jaranan Festival (FJTT), held in Trenggalek Regency, East Java, is increasingly recognized as a creative economy force rooted in local culture.

Now in its 29th edition, the annual festival is being considered for inclusion in the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), the official national tourism calendar curated by the Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf).

The assessment was delivered by Dessy Ruhati, Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy and Principal Secretary of the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), following her visit to the festival’s opening on Sunday and Monday, September 28–29, 2025.

“This is not just a jaranan festival. It’s a vibrant, creative ecosystem. All subsectors are involved, performing arts, culinary arts, crafts, and even digital promotion. This is a huge potential that must continue to be developed,” Dessy said in Trenggalek on Monday, September 29, 2025, as reported by antaranews.com.

Jaranan is a traditional dance from East Java and surrounding regions, featuring performers who ride horse-shaped props made from woven bamboo. The dance is often accompanied by gamelan music and mystical elements, and is deeply rooted in ancestral rituals and community celebrations.

29 Years of Continuity, a Testament to Cultural Commitment

Held without interruption for nearly three decades, the Trenggalek Jaranan Festival not only preserves cultural heritage but also stimulates the local economy. The event provides a platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their creative products to a broader audience.

Dessy emphasized that the festival’s longevity reflects the Trenggalek Regency Administration’s commitment to positioning culture as a foundation for regional development.

“Very few regions can maintain the continuity of a local festival for 29 years. This is both a legacy and an economic asset,” she added.

From Ancestral Heritage to National Spotlight

This year’s FJTT, held in collaboration with the Jaranan arts community, features hundreds of dancers from across East Java.

The event not only highlights the richness of traditional performance but also builds a compelling narrative: that local culture can evolve into a strategic driver for tourism and the national creative economy.

The Trenggalek Regency Administration hopes that, with support from the central government, the festival can gain international recognition. Efforts to digitize promotion are underway to expand its reach, including targeting foreign tourists.

“We hope this festival will not only become a national agenda but also reach the international stage. The Ministry of Creative Economy is ready to assist with intellectual property rights, training, and mentoring to help creative economy players elevate their status and become globally competitive,” Dessy said.

Fransiskus Handoko, Assistant Deputy for Event Strategy at the Ministry of Creative Economy, echoed the sentiment, stating that FJTT has strong potential to be included in the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara.

“Trenggalek has submitted its proposal, and we see enormous potential. This event could be elevated to national and even international levels. The government is also preparing a non-state budget tourism funding scheme and licensing support to continuously improve the quality of the event,” he said. ***