CCN, Cilegon. The Department of Education and Culture (Dindikbud) of Cilegon City continues to make efforts to promote regional songs to the community. One of the initiatives taken by Dindikbud to disseminate regional songs is through schools. This was conveyed by the Head of Dindikbud Cilegon City, Heny Anita Susila, during the Promotion and Strengthening of Regional Songs Seminar held in the residence of the Mayor of Cilegon on Friday, November 3, 2023.
“We hope that the parents and teachers present here can educate their students to preserve our culture, including regional songs. I also hope that children in schools can develop not only academically but also in the field of cultural arts, so it should be balanced. God willing, our children can become intelligent and resilient generations,” said the head of Dindikbud of Cilegon City.
Mental resilience to face the challenges of the future, which will undoubtedly surpass what we face today and in the coming years, is essential. This is the era of globalization. Currently, cultural acculturation, the blending of cultures, is not limited to regional cultures alone but extends to national cultures as well.
Heni explained that culture, such as regional songs, is a crucial part of the cultural identity of a region. The regional language used in these songs is also a part of our cultural heritage that must be preserved. “Cultural identity is not just about dance or contemporary music; it also includes regional music and regional languages,” Heny said.
Meanwhile, in her report, Titin Suswatini, the Head of the Culture Department of the Department of Education and Culture of Cilegon City, stated that they involve songwriters and art teachers as targets for the development and strengthening of regional songs. With the hope of instilling pride in the local cultural heritage and creating harmony between generations. The legal basis for this event is Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning the advancement of culture and the decision of the Mayor of Cilegon.
“The core concept of the culture of Cilegon City needs to be preserved. Cilegon City’s culture includes preservation, which involves protection as one of its elements. In this event, we present eight songs that we need to consider preserving so that the next generation can maintain the Richness of Regional Songs as one of the characteristics of our city, Cilegon,” according to Titin Suswatini.
Preserving and promoting Cilegon City’s regional songs is an integral part of our cultural richness, creating harmony between traditional and modern music as a blend of the past and present, and providing an opportunity for the community to actively participate in the preservation and development of cultural heritage.
Mayor of Cilegon, Helldy Agustian, also supports this cultural preservation effort. He emphasizes the importance of preserving Cilegon City’s cultural heritage and invites all elements of the community, especially art teachers and musicians, to participate in preserving and revitalizing the city’s culture.
(Ahdi)
