Ponorogo Regency captivated an international audience at the 10th UNESCO Creative Cities International Forum, held on June 10, 2025, at Jinju Citizen Hall in Jinju, South Korea.
Despite not being scheduled as an official speaker, Ponorogo seized a rare opportunity when Prof. Jeong Byung-hook, Global Coordinator of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for the Crafts and Folk Art sector, invited the delegation to present. The chance was fully embraced by the Ponorogo Creative Committee, appointed by Regent Sugiri Sancoko, to showcase the cultural richness of the region centered on the iconic Reog Ponorogo performance art.
Veri Setiawan, Head of Ponorogo’s Creative Committee, delivered a presentation titled Culture, Cities, Creativity (CCC), introducing Ponorogo as a city deeply rooted in tradition and poised to thrive within the global creative economy.
“We presented Ponorogo as a cultural city with strong traditional values and tremendous potential in the creative industry. Known as the ‘Land of Reog,’ Ponorogo boasts a rich history in performance art, which not only defines its local identity but has also achieved international recognition through festivals and performances in Belgium, Paris, and Daegu, South Korea,” Veri said on Wednesday (June 11, 2025).
During his presentation, Veri highlighted that Ponorogo is not only the birthplace of Reog but also a vibrant hub for major national and international cultural events such as Grebeg Suro, the National Reog Festival, and the International Mask and Folklore Festival.
“All these elements form a strong foundation for Ponorogo’s nomination as an official member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” he added.
Ponorogo’s participation earned widespread praise, with the Creative Committee receiving a formal recognition for its dedication to promoting Reog on the global stage. This moment marked a significant step in cultural diplomacy between Ponorogo and the city of Jinju.
The forum brought together cultural leaders from around the world, including a keynote presentation by the Director of the Ambon Music Office, representing Indonesia in the music sector. Under the theme “The Role of Culture in Times of Crisis,” the forum explored the healing power of art, cultural heritage preservation, and post-crisis community transformation.
During their stay in Jinju, the Ponorogo delegation was warmly welcomed in an official meeting with Jinju Mayor Jo Kyoo-il, further cementing cultural ties and paving the way for future collaboration between the two cities.
Ponorogo’s impactful participation in this global forum stands as a testament to the regency’s commitment to elevating its local culture on the world stage bringing it one step closer to international recognition through UNESCO. Man
