Commemorating the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, PT TWC Presents the "Wahyu Katentreman" Shadow Puppet Performance, Preserving Culture and Strengthening Togetherness with the Local Community.
In order to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (Persero) or InJourney Destination Management (IDM) held an all-night shadow puppet show featuring puppeteer Ki Gadhing Pawukir Seno Saputro with the play Wahyu Katentreman at Rakai Pikatan Field, Kalasan, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Friday (21/8/2026).
IDM Operations Director Indung Purwita Jati said that this annual performance is presented as a meeting place between the company and the surrounding community, arts and culture communities, and various stakeholders.
"Through this performance, we strive to bring independence celebrations closer to the people while emphasizing the importance of preserving our cultural and artistic heritage as part of our national identity," Indung explained.
The selection of the play Wahyu Katentreman strongly resonates with the spirit of the 81st Indonesian Independence Day commemoration, which carries the theme "Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia." Philosophically, Wahyu Katentreman is interpreted as a revelation or gift that brings tranquility, peace, and prosperity.
Ki Gadhing Pawukir said that this play depicts a journey to gain wisdom and peace through the process of facing various tests, self-control, sacrifice, and sincerity.
"Peace needs to be built through wisdom, harmony, mutual cooperation, and the ability to prioritize common interests. The meaning of Wahyu Katentreman can be read as a self-reflection to create a harmonious, prosperous, and just community life," explained Ki Gadhing Pawukir.
In addition, this play is also a form of prayer and solidarity for our brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), so that they will always be given strength, safety, and fortitude in facing the recovery period.
Through the spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation, the values contained in Wahyu Katentreman are expected to serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining unity, care, and hope to realize a peaceful, sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia.
Sleman Deputy Regent Danang Maharsa commended PT TWC for its commitment to presenting shadow puppet performances, which serve as a platform for preserving and revitalizing cultural arts and providing tangible benefits to the communities around Prambanan and Kalasan. These performances demonstrate that managing tourist destinations and cultural heritage can go hand in hand with community empowerment and strengthening the local economy.
"This event is also free for residents around Prambanan and Kalasan, and it also empowers local MSMEs. This means that the TWC's presence also impacts the surrounding environment," he explained.
According to the Deputy Regent of Sleman, Danang Maharsa, it is important to continue presenting shadow puppet performances, especially for the younger generation, so that they can better understand and recognize puppetry as a cultural heritage, which contains noble values.
"Wayang stories reflect our daily lives. They're not just entertainment; they guide our daily relationships between humans and God, humans and each other, and humans and nature. We must convey this so that our children today can love and understand wayang stories," he explained.
Wayang kulit performances function as a cultural medium, combining storytelling, style, philosophy, humor, and even moral messages within a single performance experience. These characteristics make wayang a relevant educational medium for introducing life values to people across generations.
The shadow puppet show at Rakai Pikatan Field is also part of PT TWC's efforts to strengthen engagement with the community around the destination area by creating a space for participation, interaction, and mutual benefit.
"Wayang kulit has the power to bring together generations, from children to young people to seniors, sharing firsthand experiences. Meanwhile, the public can enjoy and understand the values it embodies," said Indung Purwita Jati.
The presence of the community also provides a platform for economic growth through the participation of local MSMEs in the surrounding area. Cultural arts performances not only have conservation value but can also have social and economic impacts on the surrounding environment.
" Community development for us means providing a space for people to get involved, feel ownership, and benefit. This way, cultural preservation will grow more naturally and sustainably," he continued.
The wayang kuli performance was also enlivened by guest stars Ciblek and Bawor in the goro-goro or limbukan section . Before the wayang kulit performance began, the audience was entertained by the rhythmic gamelan music performed by the IDM wiyaga team and the Madusvara IDM choir.
Wayang kulit is a performing art form that showcases the rich knowledge and creativity of the Indonesian people. It embodies the intersection of various artistic disciplines and philosophical values passed down through generations. Therefore, preserving its continuity means preserving a vital part of Indonesia's cultural identity.
For PT TWC, these efforts align with the company's role in managing cultural heritage-based destinations. Preservation is not only achieved through physical maintenance of cultural heritage areas, but also through efforts to revive cultural values within the community.
"Cultural preservation is ultimately about ensuring that values remain alive. Wayang, dance, traditional music, and various local cultural expressions are part of the soul of a destination. When people continue to recognize, perform, watch, and pass them on to the next generation, that's when culture truly comes alive," concluded Indung Purwita Jati.
