RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - In a concerted effort to safeguard Javanese performing arts against modern cultural shifts, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Cultural Agency has officially launched the 2026 Child and Youth Puppeteer Festival, putting the future of traditional puppetry firmly into the hands of the next generation.

Organized by the DIY Cultural Agency from July 21 to 24, 2026, under the theme Carving Achievements, Upholding Traditions, the annual festival serves as both a high-stakes competition and a strategic nursery for young talent across Wayang Kulit Purwa (shadow puppetry) and Wayang Golek Menak (wooden rod puppetry).

The festival brings together top young puppeteers (dalang) representing all five regencies and cities across the province: Yogyakarta City, Sleman, Bantul, Kulon Progo, and Gunungkidul. Performers are evaluated across multiple criteria, including narrative flow, keprak and dodogan (two essential sound techniques used by a puppet master in traditional Javanese wayang performances) signaling techniques, vocal characterization, musical harmony with the gamelan ensemble, and overall stage dynamics.

To ensure objective scoring, organizers introduced standardized stories (lakon) for all contestants in the 2026 edition. In the Wayang Kulit Purwa division, child contestants performed Jaka Pengalasan, while youth contestants presented Sugriwa Subali. For Wayang Golek Menak, the child category featured Iman Suwangsa Takon Bapa, while the youth category staged Adaninggar Kelaswara.

The opening ceremony was marked by the symbolic striking of the kenong japan gong, a ceremonial gong made from or inspired by discarded Japanese military equipment from World War II, immediately followed by an inaugural Wayang Kulit Purwa performance by Sleman Regency delegate Risang Aditya Pratama.

Administration officials and master puppeteers highlighted the festival's crucial role in preparing young artists for national platforms while safeguarding traditional Javanese performing arts.

Head of the DIY Cultural Agency Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi emphasized that sustained collaboration between the provincial administration and the Indonesian Puppeteers Association (PEPADI) forms the cornerstone of young puppeteer development.

"Every year, the Cultural Agency consistently commits to partnering with PEPADI DIY as well as Regency/City PEPADI, the hope is that this nurturing process runs smoothly so that it can bring honor to DIY at the national level through the National Child and Youth Puppeteer Festival" Dian said, as quoted on the administration's official website.

Dian also reminded young participants to look beyond trophy wins. "Everyone who has made it to this provincial festival is already the best. So there is no need to be overly anxious about winning or losing," she added.

Judges for the competition echoed the festival's importance as both a talent scout and an educational movement.

Ki Albertus Juang Perkasa, a member of the judging panel for the Youth Shadow Puppetry category, outlined the event's forward-looking goals.

"The hope is that through this festival, competent puppeteers will be selected to represent DIY at the National Child Puppeteer Festival in Jakarta. Beyond that, this festival is expected to further support cultural advancement in the Special Region of Yogyakarta," Ki Albertus said.

Adding to this perspective, fellow judge Ki Bayu Aji Nugroho noted that the festival serves as a vital tool for public engagement and youth recruitment. "This festival is an important momentum to broaden puppetry art education for the public, especially the younger generation," Ki Bayu observed. ***