Gunungkidul Kethoprak Festival Empowers Young Artist to Preserve Art
- 08 Jul 2026 06:02 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- The 2026 Gunungkidul Regency Kethoprak Festival in Yogyakarta highlights young artists (wiranem) as key figures in preserving traditional Javanese theater.
- The festival involves 18 subdistrict teams and focuses on regenerating talent among actors, scriptwriters, musical arrangers, and other creative roles.
RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The 2026 Gunungkidul Regency Kethoprak Festival in Yogyarta Province serves as a showcase for young artists, known as wiranem, in preserving the existence of traditional Javanese theatrical arts. The marathon event, involving 18 subdistrict teams, is focused on regeneration and on honing the potential of young creators, from actors and scriptwriters to musical arrangers.
Kethoprak is a traditional Javanese theatrical art form that combines spoken drama, stylized acting, and traditional gamelan music to enact historical chronicles, folk legends, and royal romances.
Gunungkidul Regent, Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, said the festival was held at the Gunungkidul Cultural Park Auditorium on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. The event is expected to serve as both entertainment and educational viewing that the public can enjoy free of charge.
“This festival is also a medium for guidance and a reminder of the nation’s identity,” said Endah, as quoted by Antara.
According to her, kethoprak performances are rich in historical values and can serve as a learning medium for the public while also reminding people of the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
“Through this festival, it is hoped that the potential and talent of local artists, especially young people (wiranem), can continue to be sharpened so that kethoprak will not disappear with time,” she said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Gunungkidul Cultural Agency, Agung Danarto, conveyed that organizing the festival reflects the local administration’s commitment to preserving kethoprak. He emphasized the importance of keeping the traditional art sustainable and appealing, particularly to the younger generation.
“The festival runs from Monday, 6 July 2026, and reaches its peak on Tuesday, 14 July 2026,” he said.
He said the 2026 Regency-Level Kethoprak Festival is based on Law No. 13 /2012 on the Special Status of the Yogyakarta Province. In addition, the event is also grounded in the Yogyakarta Provincial Regulation on the Preservation and Development of Culture, as well as Gunungkidul Regency Regulation No. 6/2021.
“This year, the main theme carries a very specific historical focus, namely ‘Mataram After the Giyanti Agreement,’” he said.
According to Agung, the script being staged highlights the historical journey of Mataram Kingdom from the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I to Sultan Hamengkubuwono II. The historical performance involves 18 teams from all subdistricts across Gunungkidul Regency.
In addition to awarding the overall best teams from first to fifth place, the committee will honor individual artistic contributions. Special awards will be presented for best director, best scriptwriter, best musical arranger, best lead and supporting actors, as well as best costume and makeup design. ***
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