Solo Commemorates Sultan's Coronation
Jakarta. A sacred ceremony took place at the royal palace in Solo, Central Java, on Saturday (22/04) to commemorate the coronation of the sultan of Surakarta.
The annual ritual started with traditional gamelan music accompanying a march by royal guards, followed by a sacred Bedoyo dance performed by nine female dancers.
Around 4,000 guests, including Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Solo Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo and Sujiatmi Notomihardjo, the mother of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, attended this year's ceremony.
The Ministry of Tourism considers the Solo Royal Palace as a high-value tourist attraction, which can be used to popularize tourist destinations in Yogyakarta, Solo and Semarang.
However, Esthy Reko Astuti, deputy for tourism development at the ministry, said this year's ceremony was not only a tourist attraction, but that is also served to reunite the royal family after prolonged internal conflict.
Esthy expressed hope that the royal family can finally agree to work together to preserve Javanese culture.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, who represented the president at the ceremony, said the Tourism Ministry has benefited both the palace and the people of Solo by arranging the event.
"The palace is part of our cultural heritage, which has been passed down through generations, representing the nation's identity that must be preserved by all parties," Tjahjo said.
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