TIMES MALAYSIA, PROBOLINGGO – The breathtaking beauty of Mount Bromo has long attracted visitors from around the world. Yet, many tourists remain unaware of the rich cultural stories behind this iconic destination, particularly the romantic legend of Joko Seger and Roro Anteng an integral part of the identity of the Tenggerese people.

To preserve and promote this cultural heritage, the Probolinggo Regency Government hosted the 2025 Eksotika Bromo Festival — a two-day event filled with mesmerizing artistic performances, storytelling, and cultural showcases. The festival served not only as entertainment but also as a bridge between tourists and the unique traditions of the Tengger tribe.

Probolinggo Regent, Muhammad Haris, expressed great appreciation for the festival’s cultural depth and artistic quality. "We hope this event helps tourists gain deeper insights into the Tengger culture and encourages them to stay longer in the region. This two-day festival is a gateway to understanding our local identity," he said during the event, which he attended with his wife.

What makes Eksotika Bromo even more remarkable is its collaborative nature. This wide participation fostered a spirit of cultural exchange and showcased the rich diversity of Indonesian dance and traditional arts.

“This is a truly impressive concept. It’s a collective effort involving not just local artists from Probolinggo, but also performers from Jember, Kalimantan, Jambi, Madura, and many other regions,” added the Regent, who is also affectionately known as Gus Haris.

In addition to Eksotika Bromo, the Probolinggo Regency is preparing to launch another major cultural initiative: the Seven Lakes Festival. This upcoming event will combine elements of sport, art, and local tradition and will focus on hidden tourism gems beyond Bromo.

“The Seven Lakes Festival will include activities like rafting, wall climbing, and cultural performances spread over seven days, featuring seven lakes and seven waterfalls across the region,” Haris explained.

During the closing of Eksotika Bromo 2025, Gus Haris even read a poem dedicated to the beauty of Bromo, delivering his piece in the middle of the iconic sea of sand that surrounds the volcano.

The festival gained national recognition when it was officially listed among the 100 Kharisma Nusantara Events by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) after passing a careful curation process.

Through the official Instagram account of Eksotika Bromo, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana of Kemenparekraf praised the event as a meaningful step in preserving local culture.

“Events managed professionally like this are powerful tools for promoting culture-based tourism, which has always been a magnet for visitors,” she stated in her post.

Eksotika Bromo stands as a shining example of how tourism and culture can go hand in hand, enchanting visitors not only with scenic beauty but also with rich traditions and stories that deserve to be celebrated. (*)