The 30th National Reog Ponorogo Festival (FNRP XXX) and the 21st Youth Reog Festival (FRR XXI) have recorded a remarkable surge in participation this year, with 66 performing groups joining the event—surpassing the numbers seen in previous years.
What stands out is the extraordinary geographic diversity of the participants. Groups traveled from as far as Palembang in western Indonesia to Waropen in Papua, covering thousands of kilometers just to take part in the cultural celebration held in Ponorogo, East Java.
“The farthest participants came from Palembang in the west and Waropen, Papua in the east,” said Judha Slamet Sarwo Edi, Head of Ponorogo’s Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports, on Wednesday (June 18, 2025).
This enthusiastic turnout is believed to be driven by the recent global recognition of Reog Ponorogo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The international acknowledgment has amplified national pride and inspired communities from across the country to showcase their dedication to preserving this traditional art form.
Due to the large number of participants, the organizing committee has adjusted the schedule. Where typically only eight groups would perform each night, this year the number has increased to 10 to 12 groups per night to accommodate all participants.
“This is an extraordinary wave of enthusiasm. Many groups trained for months and traveled long distances, often self-funded, just to perform in Ponorogo. The spirit to preserve and celebrate Reog is truly alive,” said Judha.
The FNRP this year features 41 groups, up from 37 last year. Meanwhile, the FRR XXI competition, which involves junior high school students from across Ponorogo and beyond, attracted 24 groups, with many students participating independently and covering their own expenses.
The organizers made the decision to accept every group that registered, as a tribute to their commitment and effort. This massive turnout reflects how the Reog Ponorogo Festival has grown from a local celebration into a national cultural event uniting performers from across Indonesia.*man
