Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – There was a different atmosphere at Malang City Hall this morning, Monday (13/11/2023). Acting Mayor of Malang Dr. Ir. Wahyu Hidayat, MM together with the ranks of Forkopimda Plus and heads of regional apparatuses within the Malang City Government participated in the Mask Coloring activity at the Gazebo of Malang City Hall.
This mask coloring event is part of the 2023 International Mask Festival (IMF) which will be held in Malang City on Monday (20/11/2023) next week. “Malang City has been appointed as the host of the World Mask Festival. It will be enlivened by visitors from South Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Ecuador. In addition, also from Solo, Yogyakarta, Bayuwangi, Ponorogo, and Malang City itself. Of course, this will increase the level of tourist visits in Malang City," explained the Head of the Youth, Sports and Tourism Office (Disporapar) of Malang City, Baihaqi, S.Pd, SE, M.Si.
Baihaqi said that there were around 150 Malang Masks colored today, including the Panji Asmoro Bangun, Dewi Sekartaji, and Bapang masks. The activity was divided into two locations, namely at the Gazebo of Malang City Hall which was attended by the Acting Mayor of Malang, the ranks of Forkopimda Plus, and heads of regional apparatuses, while the village heads participated in the mask coloring activity at the Mini Block Office of Malang City Hall.
Furthermore, Baihaqi said that the results of coloring the masks today will be displayed in front of Malang City Hall for one week. "We will document this and submit it to UNESCO. This will make Malang City even more beautiful," he said enthusiastically.
This international art and culture event was well received by the Acting Mayor of Malang, Wahyu Hidayat. He said that this activity was a form of attention from the Malang City Government to the Malang Mask. "Coloring this mask is a form of appreciation for the masks in Malang City. And it turns out that coloring a mask is not easy, it takes its own skills. We also understand and realize the importance of creating mask creations, and this is part of preserving culture," he explained.
Wahyu emphasized that the government's attention to the mask culture would be a positive point. "From this activity, it will be submitted to UNESCO. Later, UNESCO will not only look at the results, but how we explore the process of making masks," he said.
The Acting Mayor hopes that the holding of the 2023 International Mask Festival in Malang City can be an effort to educate the public about mask culture. Wahyu encouraged the people of Malang City to pay more attention to the local arts and culture of Malang City.
"The world is paying attention, so the people of Malang City themselves must pay more attention. Therefore, with this IMF, it is hoped that it can raise public awareness to appreciate the cultural heritage of their ancestors," he said.
For information, the 2023 International Mask Festival is planned to be held on November 20, 2023 at Taman Krida Budaya East Java, Malang City involving mask dancers from various countries and several regions in Indonesia. The 2023 IMF series will begin with the Mask Coloring Festival which will be held today and there will be a Mask Exhibition and Performing Art at the peak of the event later. (ari/yon)
