PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin watched the Festival Public Space Theater (Terap Festival) event on Jalan Braga, Bandung City, Saturday (3/8/2024) afternoon.

When he set foot in Gang Apandi, Jalan Braga, Bey felt happy because he saw firsthand a festival with an inclusive form of theater that became a place of expression for residents and artists.

"Today I watched the festival program and was very happy," said Bey Machmudin.

It's not just about inclusivity, Bey also enjoys theatrical offerings while devouring local snacks such as cireng and bala-bala.

"What's interesting is that I watched it while eating cireng and bala-bala. So this is what real public citizens are like," he said.

Bey also appreciated the theater performance which raised the theme of "disaster".

Moreover, according to him, West Java Province in 2023 will be hit by 750 disasters, so this performance can be educational for the residents of Gang Apandi and the people of West Java in general.

"I also hope the content is about disasters. That is very good because we know that in West Java last year there were 750 disasters. So it is very good and I think if it can be transmitted to other villages or sub-districts so that we can all be prepared for disasters," Bey said.

"Earlier, because there was a disaster (here), the mothers played very deeply because they experienced it themselves," he added.

For this reason, Bey hopes that the performing arts can remind local residents to remain alert to disasters which cannot be predicted when they will come.

"But it would also be very good if they were reminded again that disasters can happen at any time. Of course we don't want them to happen. But if they happen, we have to be ready to anticipate them. Disaster mitigation is important and once again thank you Terap Festival and success for the festival," Bey said.

Terap Festival is an annual festival initiated by Jalan Theater Indonesia. Together with residents, artists and related parties, this festival seeks to approach and stage the public's hopes and awareness of their living space, where inclusive theater is a form of expression.