Since 2006, April 29 was a special moment for the city of Solo. This date is a commemoration of International Dance Day (World Dance Day).

Aware of his identity as City of Culture, the momentum was celebrated especially by dance activists. Starting from the campus of the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Surakarta, which holds dance performances for 24 hours, now every year mass dances adorn a number of corners of the city of Bengawan.

Not to forget what was done by the Surakarta City Government, Monday (29/4). Holding a commemoration of Solo Dancing 2019, as many as 5,000 children’s dancers were shown at Sriwedari Stadium to present the Jaranan Dance.

“Jaranan is a dance that has extraordinary character. The language in Indonesian is kudam which has extraordinary strength, “said Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo (Rudy), on the sidelines of the event.

Not limited to dancing, at the end of the performance they also presented choreography depicting islands in Indonesia. The formations written in the form of “Solo Kota Budaya” ended the colossal dance which lasted about 15 minutes.

Rudy argues, Jaranan Dance has a special meaning in accordance with the formation of the character of the little dancers. That is the reason why the dance was chosen to be displayed.

“This horse is a powerful philosophy that has a big, clear direction and purpose. Horses also have glasses that are always forward looking, not to the point. So it is hoped that these children will have the same character when they become leaders, “he explained.

Head of the Culture Office, Kinkin Sultanul Hakim explained, the Jaranan dance performed was a Javanese style of Surakarta dance. Although it was originally a single dance, in its development it could be brought in groups.

“We want to preserve one of the Surakarta style dances, in addition to giving understanding to the dance to the younger generation. So elementary and middle school students are involved in this mass dance, “he said.

In the future, the involvement of this next generation is also expected to be able to regenerate dancers in Bengawan City. “The properties used by dancers can also move the creative economy and tourism sector.”

The Jaranan Dance Show in Solo Dancing 2019 was awarded the World Indonesia Achievement Institute (Leprid) award as the most colossal Jaranan Dance performance. The Mayor of FX Hadi Rudyatmo also received an award as the initiator of the 2019 Solo Dancing world record event. “Solo is a cultural city. “We appreciate this simultaneous jaranan dance activity,” explained the General Chairperson and founder of Leprid, Paulus Pangka.

Based on the calculation of the Leprid team, the number of dancers was in accordance with the City Government’s proposal of 5,000 people. “We have also monitored and measured the Sriwedari Stadium field. Jaranan’s most dancers record is a new record which was recorded as the 481st record.