RRI.CO.ID, Banyumas - A world-renowned Banyumas dance maestro Rianto, held a performance titled Banyumas Ngibing: 24 Hours of Dancing event at the Adipati Marapat Pavilion on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Banyumas Regency, Central Java. The event is regarded as a powerful catalyst for cultural tourism and a vital effort in preserving traditional arts .

Ngibing is a traditional dance from Banyumas. The event features dancers performing in shifts for 24 consecutive hours. It has attracted participants from various regions of Indonesia and as well as international performers.

The dancer performance event coincided with National Education Day. “This is a moment to instill national values, creativity, and a love for heritage in the younger generation,” said Rianto.

Now in its second year, the marathon dance session demonstrates the consistency of local artists, cultural figures, and the community in keeping local traditions alive amidst modern shifts.

At the opening, a member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Siti Mukaromah affectionately known as Mbak Erma emphasized that culture is an essential pillar of regional identity and a key component of the national tourism ecosystem.

"We hope this is part of our opportunity to develop the culture owned by the Indonesian nation. If not us, then who else will grow and revive the culture we have," she said, as quoted by Antara.

Siti highlighted the strategic link between culture and tourism, especially following the enactment of Law Number 18/2025 on Tourism. This regulation formally integrates culture into the national tourism ecosystem.

"Culture is one of the ecosystems in tourism. Therefore, we must maintain, develop, and revive culture so it can strengthen Indonesian tourism," she explained.

The Director of Cultural Value Empowerment and Intellectual Property Facilitation at the Ministry of Culture, I Made Dharma Suteja, also praised the initiative. He noted that Banyumas Ngibing effectively addresses four critical aspects of cultural advancement, starting with protection by safeguarding traditional art forms from the threat of extinction.

The event also promotes development by adapting and growing these art forms to remain relevant for modern audiences.

Furthermore, it emphasizes utilization by using culture as a productive asset for the local community, while focusing on fostering to build the capacity of artists and ensure the successful transfer of traditional knowledge.

The Ministry particularly noted the involvement of the youth as evidence that the cultural inheritance process is functioning well, ensuring that traditional arts like the Lengger Banyumas will continue to thrive in the future. ***