Gau Maraja Leang-Leang is set to host an International Symposium with 13 countries participating as part of the cultural event in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. The event, scheduled to last for three days starting on Thursday, July 3, 2025, will be officially opened by the Minister of Culture of Indonesia, Fadli Zon. Marjan Massere, the Head of the Gau Maraja Committee, stated that the preparations are 95% complete. International delegates have started arriving since Wednesday morning and were welcomed by the Regent of Maros. Fadli Zon is expected to arrive in Maros at 10.00 AM on Thursday, July 3, to inaugurate the Heritage Blade Exhibition showcasing hundreds of keris collections, including those belonging to the Indonesian Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, and Fadli Zon’s personal collection. The first day’s schedule includes the Heritage Blade Exhibition, the Maros Anniversary peak night, and the opening of the Gau Maraja Festival. On the second day, Friday, July 4, an International Symposium involving 13 countries with 540 participants will be held. The main speakers are from Griffith University, Australia, and researchers from the Leang-Leang archaeological site. After Friday prayers, a cultural procession involving 2,000 participants will parade from the Regent’s Office Residence to the Maros Regent’s Office. At the same time, 100 junior and senior high school students will visit the Leang-Leang site and take part in cultural experiments such as hand stamping and prehistoric stone techniques. In the evening, two events will run in parallel: a regional student song festival and a SME exhibition at Pallantikang Field, as well as a keroncong music performance by Svaranusa with local musician Azhari Sitaba at the Leang-Leang site. The highlight will be a light and video mapping art show at Leang-Leang, claimed to be the first of its kind in South Sulawesi. The light installation features a similar visual concept to the performances at Prambanan Temple. The activities continue on Saturday, July 5, with a culturally themed mass circumcision, traditional folk games competition, and the Wija La Patau Matanna Tikka to select a new chairman. In the afternoon, a mass cleansing of 300 heritage blades will take place at Baruga B. The closing ceremony and gala dinner will be held in grandeur at the Leang-Leang Archaeological Park, with representatives from the Ministry of Culture, including the Deputy Minister or Director-General in attendance. The Gau Maraja Leang-Leang event in 2025 is expected to be a pivotal moment in cultural revival, tourism promotion, and the strengthening of Maros’ identity as a world heritage center.
Gau Maraja Leang-Leang: Simposium Internasional & Pameran Pusaka
