After a long and arduous journey, UNESCO has officially designated Reog Ponorogo as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. This decision was announced during the 19th session of the Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay, from December 2 to 7, 2024.
This recognition solidifies Reog Ponorogo's status as one of Indonesia's most valuable cultural assets recognized at the global level. It also serves as concrete evidence of successful efforts to protect the nation's cultural heritage from foreign claims.
The process of nominating Reog Ponorogo began in January 2024, when the nomination documents were submitted to UNESCO. After several stages, the hard work of the Ponorogo Regency Government paid off and Reog was officially recognized as a cultural element in need of urgent protection.
The Regent of Ponorogo, Sugiri Sancoko, expressed his deep gratitude for this recognition and expressed his pride in the recognition of one of Indonesia's most treasured cultural legacies through a heartfelt message on social media.
Indonesia Proposes 3 New Cultural Heritage Items for UNESCO Recognition
To date, Indonesia has registered more than 2,000 items in its National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 13 of which have been officially recognized by UNESCO. In this session, Indonesia has proposed three more heritage items for inclusion in the UNESCO list.
One of the proposals is Reog Ponorogo, which will be reviewed on December 3, 2024 under the Urgent Safeguarding List category.
In addition, Kebaya has been submitted under the Multinational category for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which will be discussed on December 4, 2024. Meanwhile, Kolintang is proposed under the Extension Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, to be deliberated on December 5, 2024.
The 19th Session of the Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is an annual international forum dedicated to discussing comprehensive strategies for the preservation, development and promotion of intangible cultural heritage worldwide. These efforts are in keeping with the spirit of the 2003 UNESCO Convention, which serves as a global framework for the protection of cultural heritage.
