Borobudur Cultural Festival 2017

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko (Persero) or TWC as the manager of Borobudur Temple has an obligation to preserve the nation's noble cultural heritage and continues to strive to develop tourism in the Borobudur area based on local potential, one of which is through the Borobudur Cultural Feast event. Successful with the implementation of the Borobudur Cultural Feast 2016, this year TWC again held the Borobudur Cultural Feast 2017. The event which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 30-31, 2017 in the parking lot of Borobudur Temple will start at 09.00 - 23.00 WIB on Saturday while on Sunday it will start at 09.00 - 17.00 WIB. At this event the committee has provided 2 stands and Foodtruck. Borobudur Stand 1 has 22 units, Borobudur Stand 2 has 26 units and Foodtruck has 8 units.

This event demonstrates the synergy between state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and cultural figures, artists, and musicians within the Borobudur Temple area. Village and community enthusiasm for showcasing their best culinary and creative products is high. Nearly every village registered and filled booths provided by the committee. They will showcase their distinctive culinary and creative products, featuring high-quality local products. Unique crafts and Borobudur paintings from the Limanjawi Gallery also enliven the event.

Remarks by the Minister of Education & Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Effendy

TWC President Director Edy Setijono said that the implementation of the 2017 Borobudur Cultural Feast is inseparable from the extraordinary charm and magnetism of Borobudur Temple. "Borobudur Temple is like a large, burning lamp that provides light to the surrounding environment. Surrounded by 20 villages with diverse potential, the Borobudur Temple area is increasingly rich in potential tourist destinations to visit. The local wisdom of the people around Borobudur provides the spirit for the development of Borobudur tourism," said Edy Setijono.

Edy Setijono further explained that Borobudur Temple, as a world masterpiece, is expected to serve as a reference and inspiration for anyone interested in learning about art, culture, and even agriculture from around the 750s AD. "I hope the public and researchers can learn a lot from Borobudur's masterpiece," he said.

Cooking Competition Activities

The 2017 Borobudur Cultural Feast promises a unique viewing experience unlike any other exhibition held elsewhere. This program, organized by TWC, is intended to foster a classy Borobudur nightlife and street-level tourism experience, similar to that of international destinations.

The Borobudur Cultural Feast, initiated by TWC in 2016, began with the Sonjo Kampung activity. Sonjo Kampung aims to reconnect the bonds of kinship, togetherness, and brotherhood, embodied in a collaborative movement to foster independence in village community activities. These activities are expected to foster the power of Village Tourism, bringing prosperity and well-being to the community.

The Borobudur Cultural Feast (BCF) 2017 series of activities will include a Culinary & Creative Product Festival, Borobudur Art Stage, Beong Cooking Competition, Borobudur Fashion Competition, Big Cooking Party and Balkondes Nite. The series of activities of the Borobudur Cultural Feast 2017 involve the participation of many Borobudur residents. This performance is based on the concept of mutual cooperation taught by ancestors, namely Gotong-Royong Pitutur Luhur – Guyup Rukun Gemah Ripah Loh Jinawi – Jayaning Nusantara – Amargo Laku-Lelaku. Gotong-royong is the main strength of the ancestors to realize the construction of Borobudur Temple in 750 AD. The entire performance is presented in harmony with the situation and inspiration from the relief panel carvings of Borobudur Temple. At the BCF Opening Ceremony on December 30, 2017, it featured a Beong Cooking Creation Competition, Angklung Art Performance, Jathilan, Keroncong Puri Irama Borobudur, Koes Plus Mania, Topeng Ireng “Cipto Kawedar” Ngaran Borobudur Dance, Borobudur Fashion Creation Competition Demonstration, Gembel Necies Band, Badai (Former Kerispatih) & Dexter Band, Kubro Siswo WTB Ngablak Magelang, Leak & Kuda Kepang Wahyu Turonggo Budoyo Magelang, etc.

Meanwhile, on December 31, 2017, it will feature Traditional Indonesian Games from Sodongan Bumiharjo Borobudur Dolanan Village, Big Cooking Demonstration, Karawitan Sanggar Ngesti Giri Manunggal Giritengah Village Borobudur, Strek Sambeng Village Borobudur, Ring of Fire Band, Santoz Magician, Bregada Karanganyar Village Borobudur, Prajuritan Soreng Warga Setuju Ngablak Magelang, etc. At the Big Cooking Demonstration event, there will be cooking using large cooking equipment led by 7 experienced Chefs and assisted by 50 cooking assistants from 20 villages throughout Borobudur District. The cooking menu at this event is Senerek Soup and Borobudur's signature Wedang Kacang. Within 2 hours, these cooking experts will demonstrate attractive cooking methods for 1000 packs. "We deliberately chose Senerek Soup and Wedang Kacang because these dishes have become trademarks in the Borobudur area and its surroundings," Jatmiko explained. This large-scale cooking demonstration is expected to be an engaging spectacle for tourists.

The 2017 BCF event was held, of course, while maintaining a firm commitment to always support the development of the national creative industry, especially those based on Indonesian artistic and cultural values. This event also serves as an effort to mobilize visits from foreign and domestic tourists who are expected to visit the Borobudur area on New Year's Eve 2018. The Borobudur Cultural Feast event is a routine event held every year. The purpose and objective is to provide entertainment for the community, especially in welcoming the moment of New Year's Eve through the Balkondes Nite event. Borobudur Temple is a magnet for tourists to enjoy the atmosphere of Borobudur at night. This event also provides a space for the community to participate in enlivening the moment of New Year's Eve from their respective villages by showcasing their proud, superior potential.

The 2017 BCF event will also be enlivened by Balkondes Nite by 16 Balkondes and 4 Village Halls in Borobudur District. Balkondes Nite is a form of prayer of gratitude to God Almighty for village officials and villagers for the gifts, health, safety, prosperity and unity of village residents in Borobudur District. Balkondes Nite is a kind of Village Festival, embodying gratitude in the form of a farewell celebration of 2017 and welcome to 2018. The Balkondes Nite event package includes a Village Potential Bazaar, Traditional Arts, Music, Typical Arts, Film Screenings, Prayer Reflections, Lantern Release, etc. With prayers and hopes that 2018 will be better in various ways for the lives of village communities.