TIMES HONGKONG, JAKARTA – Banyuwangi is once again preparing to host one of its most anticipated cultural attractions, Gandrung Sewu 2024. The event will take place on Saturday (26/10/2024) on the shores of Marina Boom Beach.

Gandrung Sewu is a dance performance involving thousands of dancers, and is one of the symbols of Banyuwangi's cultural richness. It is expected to attract thousands of visitors from various regions.

Thus year, the event will carry the theme of ethnic and cultural diversity in Banyuwangi, such as Osing, Javanese, Madurese, and Balinese. By involving thousands of students as dancers, this event is not just a show, but also an effort to preserve and regenerate the art of Gandrung.

“Gandrung Sewu is a cultural consolidation event as well as an effort to preserve local arts,” said Acting Regent of Banyuwangi, Sugirah.

According to her, the event also serves as a very important tourism attraction for the region. “Through Gandrung Sewu, we want to show the world that Banyuwangi has extraordinary cultural wealth,” she added.

Within a short coming days, an intensive preparations have been made to ensure that every element of the event runs smoothly. “We hope to present a spectacular show for the community and visitors,” Sugirah said.

Gandrung Sewu 2024 will be held at Marina Boom Beach, one of the iconic locations for tourism in Banyuwangi. “This location is not only beautiful, but also provides a suitable atmosphere for cultural celebrations,” said Taufik Rohman, Plt. Head of the Tourism Office.

This event involves many parties, including thousands of students who want to participate as dancers.

“We are very happy to be involved in this event. This is an opportunity for us to show our talents and love our local culture,” said one of the students who practiced hard for the performance. In addition, local officials and community leaders are also expected to attend to support and celebrate this cultural diversity.

This year, Gandrung Sewu will present a choreography that combines various traditional dances from ethnicities in Banyuwangi. “We want to provide a unique experience, where each dancer can show their cultural identity in one grand performance,” says Taufik Rohman.

With the combination of dance and interesting visual elements, it is hoped that this event will not only be entertainment, but also a celebration of harmony and diversity of local cultures.

Gandrung Sewu will also be colored with various other interesting activities, including local product exhibitions, culinary bazaars, and other art performances.

“We want to make Gandrung Sewu a festival that not only showcases dance, but also celebrates all aspects of Banyuwangi culture,” Taufik said.

As part of tourism promotion, the event is also expected to attract domestic and foreign tourists. “We want to make Banyuwangi known as an attractive cultural tourism destination,” Sugirah said.

With the high enthusiasm of the people and full support from the local government, Gandrung Sewu 2024 is expected to become one of the biggest cultural events in East Java. “We invite everyone to come and experience the beauty of Banyuwangi culture firsthand,” Sugirah concluded.

With Gandrung Sewu 2024 fast approaching, Banyuwangi is gearing up to deliver a cultural show that is not only entertaining, but also conveys important messages about cultural preservation and diversity. This event will be a very precious moment for all parties involved and for the entire Banyuwangi community. (*)