CCN, Cilegon -The Cilegon City Government, through the Department of Education and Culture (Dindikbud), held the 2025 Golok Day Festival at Cilegon City Square on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The annual cultural celebration drew strong public interest, featuring more than 4,000 warriors and martial artists from eight ancap groups under the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) Cilegon.
Cilegon Mayor Robinsar praised the smooth and lively opening ceremony, which showcased a parade of warriors, silat demonstrations, and cultural performances.
“Alhamdulillah, the opening of the Golok Day Festival ran smoothly and was very festive. The public’s enthusiasm was remarkable,” he said.
Although this year’s festival was held for only one day, Robinsar promised a larger and more spectacular event in 2026, with plans to invite international participants.
“This year it was only one day. God willing, next year it will be bigger and more festive, and we aim to bring in participants from abroad,” he noted.
Robinsar emphasized that Pencak Silat is not just a martial art but also a medium for character-building rooted in moral values. He reminded young practitioners to uphold the ethics and courtesy that are central to the tradition.
Meanwhile, Head of Dindikbud Cilegon, Heni Anita Susila, said the involvement of thousands of warriors was intended to promote the iconic Cilegon machete (golok) and strengthen cultural preservation efforts.
“This festival is part of our commitment to safeguarding local culture. The Cilegon machete must continue to be introduced to the public, and its development is carried out in collaboration with IPSI Cilegon,” she explained.
This year’s festival featured a cultural parade, opening ceremony, artistic performances, and Pencak Silat showcases from various martial schools across the city. Heni added that the department is working to integrate Pencak Silat into the school curriculum as a form of local content education.
“We are working to include Pencak Silat as a local subject in schools, ensuring cultural preservation begins with the younger generation,” she said.
Through collaboration between the city government, IPSI, and cultural communities, the 2025 Golok Day Festival reaffirmed Cilegon’s role as one of Banten’s cultural centers, rich in tradition and strong in identity. (***)
