The Tanara Serang Festival 2024 was held at the Serang Regent’s Office Courtyard on August 12, 2024. The event marked an important milestone in celebrating a decade of regional development progress and served as part of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the local economy by promoting religious tourism in Serang Regency, particularly in Tanara. The festival was organized by students of the Community Service and Community Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Period 2 of 2024, in collaboration with the local government and community members.
Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Si., Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of UGM, attended the festival’s opening ceremony and emphasized the importance of collaboration. He stated, “Every KKN-PPM UGM program implemented in a region should involve collaboration with local universities and regional KAGAMA chapters, encouraging all stakeholders to work together in building the nation. This spirit of collaboration is clearly evident here in Serang Regency.”
The Regent of Serang, Banten Province, Hj. Ratu Tatu Chasanah, S.E., M.Ak., expressed her appreciation for UGM’s continuous contribution to the region. She noted that since 2022, UGM has consistently deployed KKN-PPM students to Serang Regency, particularly in Tanara and Tirtayasa Districts. “The presence of UGM KKN-PPM students has greatly supported the local government. In Tanara, for example, the Religious Tourism Village of Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani has been established. The students have worked in synergy with the community, helping prepare local residents to meet emerging needs. We hope this program will continue because the people of Tanara and surrounding areas have experienced significant benefits, including broader perspectives, environmental improvements, economic growth, and many other positive impacts,” she explained.
Also attending the festival were UGM’s Director of Community Service, Dr. Dr. Rustamaji, M.Kes.; Head of the KKN Subdirectorate, Prof. Ir. Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, Ph.D.; and Prof. Ir. Irfan D. Prijambada, M.En., Ph.D., who served as Director of Community Service from 2012 to 2022, along with their respective teams. Their presence highlighted the importance of sustainable collaboration among higher education institutions, government agencies, various stakeholders, and local communities in achieving development goals. Drs. Sudaryatno, M.Si., the Field Supervisor (DPL) of the Tanara Unit, together with 30 KKN-PPM students under his supervision, also demonstrated great enthusiasm in organizing the festival.
Muhammad Syauqy Noer Yuda, the Student Unit Coordinator (Kormanit), reported that the Tanara Unit had implemented more than 140 collaborative programs involving Syekh Nawawi Banten University. He explained, “The overarching theme of this year’s KKN-PPM program in Tanara is Strengthening Tourism Potential to Support the Revitalization of Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani Religious Tourism in Tanara, and this festival is one of our key initiatives.”
The festival engaged representatives from all districts across Serang Regency through various activities, including an MSME and handicraft exhibition, the Tanara Jawara Creative Dance Competition, and a Calligraphy Competition. Approximately 500 visitors attended the event. The festival also served as a platform for local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products, fostering economic growth and encouraging community members to support one another. This approach not only strengthens the local economy but also nurtures a sense of pride and community identity.
Through the festival, the organizers aimed to highlight the unique potential of the Tanara area. The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth.
The collaboration among UGM KKN-PPM students, the local government, and the community demonstrates the power of partnerships in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. This collaborative model contributes to SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, and may serve as a best-practice example for other regions seeking to strengthen their development efforts.
As the festival came to a close, all stakeholders expressed optimism regarding the future development of Tanara and its surrounding areas. The event also served as a farewell occasion for the UGM KKN-PPM Period 2 of 2024 students before returning to campus. Amid the busy festival agenda, the Student Unit Coordinator remained optimistic and concluded, “This is not the end, but rather the beginning of a greater journey toward realizing the grand vision of Tanara as a world-renowned Religious Tourism Village.”
*Author: Dn Halimah*
*Photos: DPkM Public Relations*