CCN, CILEGON — The Cilegon City Cultural Council (DKKC) has officially launched the 2026 Cultural Events Calendar as a strategic effort to preserve collective memory and strengthen the city’s identity amid the dominance of industrial development. The launch aims to position culture as the lifeblood of the community as well as a foundational pillar of urban development alongside the rapid growth of the industrial sector.
Through the Rawat Budaye movement, the Head of Promotion and Publication Division of DKKC, Rizal Arif Baihaqi, announced that four major cultural agendas have been designed to revive the spirit of culture throughout 2026. He emphasised that the calendar represents a firm commitment to presenting culture as a living practice that remains relevant to contemporary developments.
“Cilegon must have a strong identity. We want to ensure that cultural activities here are not merely ceremonial, but evolve into a sustainable ecosystem that all citizens can take pride in,” Rizal said on Saturday (24 January 2026).
Rizal explained that the four flagship agendas shaping Cilegon’s cultural landscape in 2026 include Padang Wulan (Srawung Purnama ing Cilegon), Tutur Cilegon, Ruwat Jagat Muharram 2, and Riyaye Budaya.
“Padang Wulan is a monthly dialogue forum held at the Mayor’s Official Residence. As a designated cultural heritage site, we aim to transform it into an open space where artists, government representatives, and the public can gather without barriers, guided by the philosophy of silih asah, silih asih, silih asuh (mutual learning, compassion, and care). Meanwhile, Tutur Cilegon is a special programme held in April, coinciding with the anniversary of Cilegon City, focusing on strengthening oral traditions, folklore, and collective memory,” he explained.
As for Ruwat Jagat Muharram 2, also known as Muharram Culture Fest 2026, Rizal noted that it is a continuation of an event held the previous year, designed as a form of spiritual reflection and a moment of inner purification to prepare for the city’s future.
“Finally, in response to the designation of National Culture Day by the Central Government through the Ministry of Culture, DKKC has initiated an event called Riyaye Budaye. This event is held to commemorate National Culture Day and serves as a platform for performances, exhibitions, and appreciation of cultural practitioners in Cilegon, ensuring their relevance in a changing era,” he added.
Rizal stressed that the Promotion and Publication Division will work to its fullest capacity to ensure that these cultural messages reach all segments of society, including the younger generation.
“Our challenge is how local culture can remain competitive and appealing in the digital era. Through extensive publication and engaging event formats, we want culture to become a source of pride for every citizen of Cilegon,” he concluded.
The launch received direct appreciation from the Cilegon City Government through the Department of Education and Culture. Head of the Cilegon City Department of Education and Culture, Heni Anita Susila, represented by the Head of the Cultural Division, Eva Warni, emphasised the importance of synergy between the community and the government so that the agenda does not remain merely conceptual.
“This is not solely the responsibility of the Cultural Council, but the responsibility of all elements of Cilegon society,” Eva stated.
She expressed hope that the 2026 Cultural Events Calendar would become a genuine movement capable of revitalising regional identity, while also highlighting the challenges faced by Cilegon as an industrial city.
“Cilegon is indeed an industrial city, and we cannot deny that. However, industry without culture is barren. Industry without local values will cause us to lose our identity,” she asserted.
According to her, the department will strive to translate the concerns of cultural practitioners into policies that support the preservation of local values.
With this launch, DKKC invites cross-sector collaboration to ensure that Cilegon grows in a balanced manner—strong in its industrial economy while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural heritage.
