CCN, Cilegon – The Cilegon City Education and Culture Office, through the Language, Literature, and Licensing Control Workforce Section, organized the Regional Language and Literature Appreciation Competition (poetry reading and storytelling) at SMPN 7 Cilegon on Thursday (19/09/2024).
Regional languages, as an important cultural heritage, are now receiving serious attention from the Cilegon City Government. In response to the threat of language extinction, the Cilegon Education and Culture Office is organizing various preservation programs, including language appreciation competitions involving elementary and middle school students.
In her statement, Hj. Heni Anita Susila, Head of the Cilegon City Education and Culture Office, emphasized that regional languages are symbols of pride and local identity that must be preserved. “Regional languages are not only cultural heritage but also a source of knowledge and a part of the region’s identity. This preservation program is a form of our commitment to fulfilling the mandate of Article 32 Paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution,” she explained.
Meanwhile, M. Rois Renaldi stated that the Javanese language appreciation competition is part of an important and significant revitalization effort. “The threat of regional language extinction needs to be addressed seriously. Involving the younger generation through competitions like this has a significant impact on the preservation and revitalization of the Javanese language in Cilegon,” he said.
The competition resulted in winners in two main categories: Nalek poetry competition and storytelling competition. Here are the winners:
A. Nalek Poetry Competition Winners:
1. SMPN 1 Cilegon
2. SMPN 2 Cilegon
3. SMPN 3 Cilegon
Honorable Mention 1: SMP Raudatul Janah
Honorable Mention 2: SMPN 13 Cilegon
Honorable Mention 3: SMP Mardiyuwana
B. Storytelling Competition Winners:
1. SMPN 2 Cilegon
2. SMPN 6 Cilegon
3. SMP Uswatun Hasanah
Honorable Mention 1: SMPN 7 Cilegon
Honorable Mention 2: SMPN 1 Cilegon
Honorable Mention 3: SMPN 13 Cilegon
This initiative is part of the Cilegon City Government’s commitment to preserving the Javanese language of Cilegon, which has developed since the 16th century. Through this step, it is hoped that the regional language will continue to thrive and be passed on to future generations.
(Ahdi Z. Amri)
