PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government held Bandung Utama Ngabudaya (Badaya) in Babakan Ciparay, Sunday (25/10/2026), to appreciate artists and preserve Sundanese arts among the community.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan emphasized that art is a cultural expression that needs to be preserved through performance spaces and creative opportunities for artists.

"In fact, culture is ingrained in our souls, ingrained in the very fabric of our lives through values and norms. However, the most visible expression of culture is art. Therefore, we must appreciate art," said Farhan.

To support the sustainability of traditional arts, Farhan plans to revive the Rumentang Siang Arts Building as a regular performance space for artists.

The plan includes four types of arts, namely wayang golek, jaipongan, pencak silat, and Kembang Sunda which will be performed on a scheduled basis.

"Anyway, we'll fill Rumentang Siang every Sunday. Agreed?" he said when presenting the plan.

Farhan explained that the wayang golek performance is planned to take place once a month, while the jaipongan and Kembang Sunda performances will go through a selection process.

He also asked the relevant regional apparatus to pay attention to budget support so that the plan to hold regular performances can be realized.

Badaya Expands Appreciation of Sundanese Culture

Head of the Bandung City Culture and Tourism Office, Adi Junjunan Mustafa, explained that Badaya is a means to introduce, appreciate, and preserve the arts and culture that are developing in society.

"We are holding the Badaya program in three areas. Previously, it was held in Rancasari Village in East Bandung, Sumur Bandung District in Central Bandung, and today, it was held in Babakan Ciparay District in West Bandung," Adi said.

The implementation in these three areas provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the diversity of arts and cultural potential in various areas of Bandung City.

Adi hopes that Badaya can be expanded in the coming year and become part of the Bandung City tourism calendar to attract tourists while providing entertainment for residents.

"Thus, Badaya can become an attraction for tourists as well as entertainment for the surrounding residents," he said.

Member of the Bandung City Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), Heri Hermawan, also appreciated the activity, especially because the Bandung Kulon, Babakan Ciparay, and Bojongloa Kidul areas have many artists.

"Ngabudaya is extraordinary because preserving Sundanese culture is our shared responsibility," said Heri.

Heri hopes that Badaya will continue to be held as a form of appreciation for artists and as a cultural event that attracts public visits.

"Bandung still has tremendous potential related to Sundanese culture. Let's preserve it, because preserving it is our shared responsibility," he said.

Through Badaya and the planned reactivation of Rumentang Siang, the Bandung City Government is striving to expand performance opportunities for artists and ensure that Sundanese arts remain well-known and developed.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)