West Java Regional Culture Week 2025 Strengthens Cirebon City as a Symbol of Acculturation and Tolerance

Cirebon, Konntroversinews | Cultural vitality is inherent as a shared responsibility to continue to be maintained and inherited. Culture is not just a trace of the past, but the pulse of life that shapes the identity, character and direction of regional development. This awareness emerged at the peak of the 2025 West Java Regional Culture Week (PKD) which was held at Sangkala Buana Square, Kasepuhan Palace, Cirebon, Saturday (14/12/2025).

The Mayor of Cirebon, Effendi Edo, was present directly at this activity. He said that Sangkala Buana Square is a space for historical encounter and acculturation, where various values ​​and traditions meet and coexist.

“This area is not only a symbol of past glory, but also a strong foundation for the growth of an open and inclusive Cirebon culture,” he said.

According to the Mayor, the Cirebon City Government continues to encourage various provincial and national cultural agendas to be held in Cirebon City. He said that his party continues to coordinate and cooperate with the Ministry of Culture. This includes the Media Arts Festival which was held at the PT Pelindo Harbor Building Complex, which lasted for six days and succeeded in attracting more than 29 thousand visitors some time ago.

“This proves the seriousness of the City of Cirebon in reviving its arts and culture,” continued the Mayor.

The Mayor also emphasized that Cirebon, which literally means caruban or mixture, is a symbol of unity and tolerance. This city is a meeting point for Javanese, Sundanese traditions and various other cultures that form Cirebon’s unique character. As part of West Java Province, the Cirebon City Government is also proud of the designation of 42 Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritages (WBTb) in 2025 originating from West Java.

“This achievement is proof that West Java’s cultural richness is widely recognized, and it is at the same time the obligation of all of us to preserve it,” he stressed.

He emphasized that culture must be the foundation of sustainable development, as well as the driving force of the regional creative economy and strengthening the character of the younger generation. According to the Mayor, cultural preservation requires guarantees that every tradition, work of art and local wisdom can be inherited in its entirety, be relevant to current developments, and provide prosperity for cultural practitioners.

“This can only be realized through strong collaboration between provincial, district and city governments, academics and the cultural community,” he added.

On this occasion, the Regional Secretary of West Java Province, Herman Suryatman, emphasized that PKD is an important space of expression for artists and cultural figures to display their best work. Apart from that, this activity also functions as a means of education for the younger generation to love and preserve their own regional culture.

“Through this activity, we want to emphasize that local culture is able to grow and develop with the times without losing its identity,” he said.

Furthermore, Herman Suryatman conveyed the West Java Provincial Government’s commitment to supporting cultural preservation through policies, coaching and facilitating creative spaces.

“Hopefully this activity can strengthen collaboration between the government, society and cultural communities in West Java,” he concluded. ***