RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - The Surabaya City Government is expanding support for traditional arts to strengthen cultural preservation and nurture young artists. The commitment was announced during a gathering of Reog and Jaranan artists in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Surabaya Mayor, Eri Cahyadi, said the initiative aims to strengthen young people's character through local cultural values. He affirmed that traditional arts can help preserve Indonesia's cultural identity amid growing foreign cultural influences.

Eri instructed the Surabaya Culture, Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office to provide more public spaces for artists and children. He said parks, village halls, and sub-district halls could be used for cultural activities and regular practice.

"We will open more spaces for character building. Parks, village halls, and sub-district halls can be used to develop arts and culture, whether for practice or other creative activities," Eri said.

He added that cultural regeneration requires more than establishing art studios. Young performers also need regular opportunities to showcase their talents in public spaces and inspire future generations.

The Surabaya City Government also plans to strengthen collaboration with official artist associations to ensure fair opportunities for local cultural groups. The policy aims to support sustainable development of traditional performing arts across the city.

Eri also expressed plans to organize large-scale Reog and Jaranan competitions in Surabaya at the provincial and national levels. He said the events would help promote local artists while reinforcing Surabaya's position as a center for traditional arts.

Heru Sancoko, advisor to the Reog Purbaya community, welcomed the city's commitment to supporting local artists. He said the organization, representing 47 Reog groups and 10 Jaranan groups, would continue collaborating with the city government to preserve East Java's cultural heritage.