Gunungkidul Geopark Night Specta Vol. 7.0: “Symphony of the Earth Garden” Unites Nature, Culture, and Community
Photo: dok.Dinas Pariwisata Kabupaten Gunungkidul
Harian Rakjat, Gunungkidul, Indonesia – A vibrant celebration of geotourism and local heritage unfolded in Gunungkidul during the 7th edition of Gunungkidul Geopark Night Specta (GNS), held from 18 to 20 July 2025 in the scenic Nglanggeran Geoarea of the Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark.
Carrying the theme “Symphony of the Earth Garden”, this annual event harmonizes nature, culture, and creativity, aiming to promote geological heritage, local wisdom, and sustainable tourism practices.
Official Recognition of New Tourism Villages
One of the key moments in the event was the official handover of Tourism Village Decrees by the Yogyakarta Tourism Office to Regent of Gunungkidul, Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih. This handover marks the continued expansion of tourism-based community development in the region.
“Alhamdulillah, the decree handover ceremony went smoothly and was enlivened by Leto’s performance,” said Oneng Windu Wardana, Head of the Gunungkidul Tourism Office.
“Our hope is that more villages will level up, becoming more independent and sustainable,” he added.
Collaborative Spirit and Cultural Showcases
According to Dr. Aris Eko Nugroho, M.Si., Paniradya Pati of Yogyakarta’s Special Autonomy Office, GNS is the result of a strategic collaboration:
“This event is a synergy between the Yogyakarta Provincial Government—through the Agriculture and Food Security Office—and the Gunungkidul Tourism Office,” said Aris.
“It is funded through the Special Autonomy Fund and features a combination of chocolate festivals and Geopark-themed performances. GNS is one of 110 national-level events selected under the Ministry of Tourism’s Kharisma Event Nusantara program.”
He further emphasized the value of promoting local resources:
“Every region has its own potential. Through this event, we highlight not only the natural wonders of Gunungkidul but also the richness of local MSMEs, especially chocolate products derived from local cacao,” he noted.(AR)
