VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Since October 12, festival with the title ‘Menoreh Art Festival (MAF) 2019’ has been opened. The festival which is held to commemorate the 68th anniversary of Kulon Progo takes place at the field of Wates City, Kulon Progo until October 20, 2019. The festival is aimed to introduce Kulonprogo culture to the community. Many different arts and cultures are shown during the festival. The opening of the festival started by holding Ngalarak Blarak competition, the traditional sport that belongs to Kulon Progo. In the past, Ngalarak Blarak was only kids’ and youths’ game at the hamlet of coconut juice tapper on Menoreh hill which used blarak or in English means coconut midrib. The local government makes it as packaged competition so that Nglarak Blarak becomes an interesting competition for adult people by using coconut midrib. The government also makes Nglarak Blarak to be the traditional sport of Kulon Progo. After competing Nglarak Blarak, there is Campursari singers’ parade. The next day, there is puppet show by using Tiga Kelir or screen. Then, it is continued by performances of Sendratari Sugriwa Subali and Sendratari Api on Menoreh hill as Kulon Progo icon. Sendratari is a drama story which is presented by dancing without dialog, and it’s usually accompanied by Gamelan. Another traditional sport is Jemparingan or traditional archery in national level. There is also massive Macapatan or singing in Javanese language, karawitan and choir or flash-mob. In addition, there is also full moon festival while playing music from rice pounder. In the Menoreh Art Festival 2019, the regional government of Kulon Progo also handed over awards to a number of culturists. The government also released a book entitled "Sanun" which tells about a student army from Kulon Progo who becomes policeman and was killed at Shanun field, Sentolo district. Menoreh Art Festival 2019 will be continued by Fine Arts Exhibition entitled 'RUPAKU' which will be conducted at Kulon Progo Cultural Park starting from October 21 – 30, 2019. Previous years, the exhibition was held in one location with cultural festival. This year, the exhibition presents community of artists, curators from Jogjakarta, cultural actors, performance of art community. The regional government of Kulon Progo also makes a package of the Cultural Park to be Kangen market where various kinds of traditional culinary products of Kulon Progo are sold.