Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia Ponorogo Regency in East Java has officially been named part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the Crafts and Folk Art category.
Responding to the recognition, Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko, popularly known as Kang Giri, said the designation places Ponorogo among 407 cities worldwide recognized for their sustainable cultural and creative ecosystems.
“This achievement is the result of a long journey by the people of Bumi Reog in preserving and developing traditional arts as the driving force of the local creative economy,” Sugiri said, as quoted by Antara on Saturday (November 1, 2025).
He described the UNESCO Creative City title as a victory for all Ponorogo residents, a recognition of a vibrant, deeply rooted cultural ecosystem that spans performing arts, crafts, and traditional handiwork.
With its inclusion in the global network, Ponorogo now holds two UNESCO honors: as the custodian of an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and as a city with a thriving, tradition-based creative ecosystem.
“Reog Ponorogo is more than just a dance. It serves as a source of inspiration and spirit for all creative economy players. This recognition opens broader opportunities for international collaboration and strengthens the cultural sector,” Sugiri added.
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He explained that UNESCO’s assessment was based on the strength of Ponorogo’s Reog ecosystem, a holistic network of cultural expression and craftsmanship that extends beyond performance.
“From crafting dadak merak and Bujangganong masks to designing costumes and gamelan instruments, every element is part of a creative ecosystem rooted in the Reog Ponorogo tradition,” he said.
(Raidi/Agung)
