In a strong move to preserve and elevate Indonesia’s cultural heritage, Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko has formally opened the 5th Sinden Idol 2025 auditions, hosted by Semarang State University (UNNES), at the historic Pendopo Agung Ponorogo.
Sixteen young female vocalists representing the Mataraman cultural region — spanning from Pacitan, Madiun, and Ngawi to Magetan, Trenggalek, and Ponorogo — participated in the regional selection. Finalists will compete in the grand finale held later this year at UNNES in Semarang.
But beyond the competition, the event marks the beginning of a larger vision: a cultural alliance between Ponorogo and UNNES. Regent Sugiri used the opportunity to propose a strategic partnership with the university to support students from artistic backgrounds, especially from Ponorogo — the birthplace of Reog, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.
“I hope this event becomes a gateway to a meaningful collaboration between Ponorogo and UNNES,” Sugiri said during his opening remarks. “I’ve already spoken to UNNES representatives and urged them to open wider access for student artists, particularly those from our region.”
The regent also expressed his aspiration for UNNES to serve as a conservation hub for Reog Ponorogo. “UNNES has the potential to be more than a university — it can be a center for safeguarding traditional arts like Reog, which is now globally acknowledged. Let’s work closely together to realize that,” he said.
Having been dormant since 2018 due to the pandemic, the return of Sinden Idol was welcomed as a cultural revival. Sugiri emphasized the urgency of safeguarding local wisdom in an era of rapid modernization.
“If we don’t care for these traditions, if we don’t act now, our cultural heritage risks being overshadowed. We must stand together to protect and cherish what makes our identity unique,” he urged.
Although acknowledging limited facilities for this year’s audition — attributed to short notice — the regent pledged greater support in future editions, even proposing Ponorogo as the main stage for the grand finale.
“We will go bigger next year. If possible, let’s bring the final round home to Ponorogo. I will welcome it with full support,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Sugiyanto, M.Sn., a UNNES representative and event organizer, admitted he was overwhelmed by the scale and enthusiasm of the Ponorogo event.
“I did not expect such grandeur here. Frankly, we’ll have to work hard to match this energy when we host the finals in Semarang,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
In a moment of reflection, Sugiyanto floated the idea of someday hosting the grand final in Ponorogo itself. “Who knows? Maybe in the future, Ponorogo could be the permanent home of the Sinden Idol grand finale.” Man
