The Sumenep Regency Government is once again introducing a breakthrough in preserving traditional arts through the holding of the 2026 Maharaya Festival. As an important part of the regional tourism calendar, this festival does not merely present visual entertainment, but also transforms dance into a means of interactive education for the wider community.
One of the main agendas of this festival was realized through a discussion forum titled "Diksi Maharaya" with the theme "Respecting Dance: Preserving Dignity, Meaning, and Cultural Heritage" on Friday (31/07/2026). This scientific and cultural discussion brought together art activists, academics, bureaucratic representatives, and students in Sumenep to discuss the future of the performing arts.
The Show Director of the Maharaya Festival, Nur Kholis, explained that the main idea of this event is to blur the boundaries between the audience and the artwork. Through an integrative approach, he hopes that the public will not just be passive spectators, but will also understand the creative process and the philosophical values behind each dance movement presented.
The uniqueness of this festival lies in its decision to use the street as the main stage. According to Nur Kholis, the choice of an open public space aims to make art directly accessible to all layers of society without the barriers of performance hall walls, while also challenging choreographers to create works that adapt to the street environment.
In addition to being a venue for artistic expression, this forum also highlighted the major challenges faced by traditional dance in the digital era. Nur Kholis reminded of the importance of maintaining the substance and cultural context of a dance so that it is not eroded by creative industry trends that often ignore the value of originality.
