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Thousands Of Lanterns Adorn The Sky Of Gedongsongo Temple In Semarang Regency

The lantern festival serves as the highlight of the Gedongsongo Festival. Approximately 3,000 lanterns were released into the sky from the grounds of Gedongsongo Temple by visitors, illuminating the night sky more brightly than usual. Among them was Windi, who visited Gedongsongo Temple with two friends. "I was able to launch two lanterns earlier, but one of them did not manage to take flight," said Windi, who hails from Semarang City, on Saturday (21/6/2025). I have attended the Gedongsongo Festival twice. This year's event is better than last year's. There are more guest stars, the festivities are livelier, and the arrangements are pleasing. The weather is also favorable," Windi remarked. 

The Head of the Semarang Regency Tourism Office, Wiwin Sulistyowati, stated that this year's Gedongsongo Festival is indeed more vibrant. "This festival features cultural and traditional events, creative economy and MSME exhibitions, the introduction of tourist villages, as well as performances of traditional arts and music with guest stars," she explained.

Wiwin stated that the Reresik Candi Gedongsongo event, as a cultural tradition, also serves as an effort to further promote the temple located in the Bandungan District of Semarang Regency, Central Java. "This year, the Gedongsongo Festival has been included in the national event calendar curated by the Ministry of Tourism, but it is still ranked at number 11. We hope that next year and in the years to come, it will be included in the national event calendar," Wiwin remarked.

According to Wiwin, the Gedongsongo Festival is one of the promotional efforts aimed at increasing tourist visits to Semarang Regency. "This event is held in the evening to encourage tourists from outside the city to stay overnight and enjoy the local cuisine, thereby allowing hotels and restaurants to experience positive impacts," she added.

"We are optimistic that the target of one million tourist visits to Semarang Regency can be achieved. There are many events currently driving the tourism industry," stated Wiwin. Meanwhile, the Regent of Semarang, Ngesti Nugraha, mentioned that the Gedongsongo Festival, held annually, has a positive impact on tourism and the economy in Semarang Regency.

"Visitors can enjoy a complete array of events, ranging from cultural traditions, entertainment, to a lantern festival that has received a warm welcome from attendees," he expressed.

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Tag: Gedongsongo Gedongsongo Festival Semarang Regency