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It’s always lively after the Eid in the city of Surakarta due to the performance of Opera Bakdan Neng Solo, a long-awaited annual colossal opera. What’s interesting about this opera is that aside from depicting many legendary folktales, it also offers free entry and is open to the public. The event was held on 23 - 24 April 2023 on the Surakarta City Hall Yard at 19.30 WIB. Watch the record at The Culture and Tourism Office of the Surakarta City YouTube channel for a glimpse to future reference. More about this event in this article!
Every year, Opera Bakdan Neng Solo always brings different play, making sure the audience always experience a unique and fresh story. This year, the play that was presented is Sesaji Rajasuya, a story about mistreatment and exile done by Kauravas to Pandavas. At one point, due to the kindness of King Matswapati, the Pandavas were given wild and uncultivated land to be used as a place to live. It was not going smoothly because the young Pandavas must encounter resistance from King Yudhistira and his younger siblings. Will the Pandavas make it through? How does this story end? Come and watch the play to find out!
Located near Solo’s kilometer zero point in front of Gedhe Market, the Surakarta City Hall Courtyard became the stage for this year's Bakdan Neng Solo Opera performance. The open stage layout added with a remarkable artistic arrangement amplified the dramatic atmosphere of the performance. Moreover, the performance was filled with sparkling decorative lights at night! Did not worry about running out of seats, because the city hall courtyard can accommodate up to 2,000 spectators.
Opera Bakdan Neng Solo is a routine agenda since 2015 until now. This event aims to provide a space for traditional art performances and public entertainment during the Eid holidays as well as to strengthen the cultural identity and traditions of the archipelago. This event had created multiplier effect for local businesses and creative industries, such as hotel and accommodations, transportation, artists, musicians, food/souvenir sellers, and MSMEs in general. From 2015 to 2019, the activities took place at Fort Vastenburg for three days. Since 2022, the event location has moved to the Surakarta City Hall Courtyard with one night performance.
Not only known as the City of Batik, Surakarta is also known as the City of Culture. There are many tourist spots related to batik and culture that are a must-visit while you’re here. Let’s check them out!
Eager to enter a medieval Javanese kingdom ambiance in Surakarta City? Stop by the Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat or Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace. This royal palace has become an icon of Surakarta City and was founded by Susuhan Pakubuwono II (Sunan PB II), the Emperor of the Kasunanan Palace in 1744, as a replacement for the damaged Kartasura Palace.
Apart from having a distinctive architecture with artistic carvings from the royal era, this palace also dwells a large collection of statues, weapons, royal heirlooms, and a tower named the Sangga Buwana Tower, which stands firmly beside the palace.
The Danar Hadi Batik Museum is the right answer if you’re looking for a culturally significant tourist spot. The architecture of the building is adapted from the Dalem Wuryaningratan complex, which is the residential palace of the K.R.M.H. Wuryaningrat family. Divided into eleven rooms, you can see the collection of ancient batik by Mr. H. Santosa Doellah, a well-known batik entrepreneur who owns the brand "Batik Danar Hadi''.
This batik collection is divided into nine types of batik, namely Dutch Batik, Chinese Batik, Djawa Hokokai Batik, Indian Influenced Batik, Kraton Batik, Kraton Influenced Batik, Sudagaran Batik and Farmer Batik, Indonesian Batik and Danar Hadi Batik. Sounds interesting, right?
Last but not least is Pura Mangkunegaran, one of the most famous places in Surakarta City due to its popularity as an event venue. Historically, it was built for the palace of Emperor Mangkunegaran in 1757. This area is surrounded by high walls and consisting various parts ranging from pamedan or green fields, pavilion, pringgitan or buildings in the form of floating fish, ndalem or pyramid-shaped buildings, keputren or the residence of the Mangkunegaran family, to Pracimoyasa which is an octagonal family room.
Currently, there is also Pracima Tuin Park where you can eat delicious dishes while enjoying the atmosphere. If you’re looking for the experience, you can make a reservation in advance via contact on their Instagram account.
Opera Bakdan Neng Solo is definitely a cultural celebration that is worth experiencing, if you’re looking to visit this event next year and follow our social media accounts on Instagram as well as @creativebyindonesia, our official Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok channel for updated information regarding travel and creative economy in Indonesia.
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