TULUNGAGUNG – The World Dance Day in Tulungagung celebration took on a deeper meaning this year. Organizers encouraged young dancers to reflect on body awareness and the spirit of traditional dance through an event called “Majua.”
The program took place at Taman Bina Bakat dan Kompetensi Siswa (TB2KS) from April 21 to 24, 2026. Mart Event Management initiated the four-day event.
Traditional dance activist Clairine Faiza Saharani Putri Kusumawardhani said she created the program after seeing a common problem among young dancers. Many focus only on memorizing movements without understanding the meaning behind them.
“Many dancers just perform movements without knowing the message inside the dance,” Clairine said. “Before dancing, they need to understand their own body first. In Javanese philosophy, we call this self-awareness.”
Every morning, participants joined intensive workshops with facilitators from Yogyakarta, Solo, and Semarang. Later in the day, local dance studios performed on stage and gave young talents space to show their skills.
Clairine explained that “Majua” comes from three Javanese concepts: Manjing, Ajur, and Ajer. These mean entering, blending, and becoming one.
First, dancers learn to recognize themselves. Then, they explore body movement more deeply. Finally, they unite fully with the dance they perform.
“Dancers must understand their own potential first,” she said. “They should not only move their body based on rhythm.”
The final day will end with “Solah Bawa.” This special session lets dancers express their natural character through free movement and personal interpretation.
“Every body carries different physical memories,” she added. “We want them to feel their own body and bring out their own dance.”
Although the workshop only accepted a limited number of participants, organizers hope the spirit of cultural preservation will continue among Tulungagung’s younger generation.
They also urged young artists not to chase instant success. Instead, they should respect the long creative process of preserving traditional arts and local identity.