Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – Deputy Mayor of Malang Ir. H. Sofyan Edi Jarwoko attended and gave his appreciation for the holding of the Bantengan Art Charm Discussion at the Pelangi Hotel, Malang City, Friday (24/2/2023). This activity was also filled with casual chats, a bantengan art demonstration, and an UMKM (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) exhibition.
The Deputy Mayor of Malang, who is familiarly called Bung Edi, said that this activity is a step forward taken by the Malang Bantengan Communication Forum, whose progress is increasingly visible from day to day. Increasingly following the current trends that are very much needed, for example, currently collaborating with many parties.
"Extraordinary. Today (art) Bantengan can perform at the hotel. We hope that in the future Bantengan can be accepted by the public as a unique performing art," hoped Bung Edi, Friday (24/2/2023).
He added that the use of digital technology to introduce and popularize Bantengan, there are YouTubers, content creators and so on is a very good thing. "That is a step forward to further introduce Bantengan art to the public, both domestically and abroad. Is it finished? Not yet, there is still a lot of progress to be made," explained Bung Edi.
In order to be more accepted by the wider community, Bantengan art requires a spirit in the Bantengan community itself to fight as hard as possible. The hope is of course that in the future Bantengan will truly be accepted as a unique art.
"In addition to Malang, Bantengan is also in Mojokerto. However, the information is that the center and trigger of Bantengan are in Singosari. This requires further discussion," he explained.
For that reason, he continued, of course in the future there must be a forum to dissect it which is attended by the actors, seniors, historians who will lead further.
"This is good progress compared to last year. Bantengan has come a long way, this must continue to be supported so that it will be better in the future," concluded Bung Edi.
Meanwhile, one of the Bantengan artists of Malang City, Arik Afandi said that his party wants Bantengan to be more interesting and in demand by the public. His party wants Bantengan to continue to exist, both in Malang, East Java and in Indonesia without being looked down upon.
"So far, Bantengan has always been independent to be able to continue to exist by relying on the spirit of its members. In the future, we want many parties to care more and help develop this art," said Arik. (cah/yon)
