BANDUNG – Hundreds of young artists from junior high schools, high schools, vocational schools, and the general category successfully rocked the stage of the Universitas Widyatama Multipurpose Building (GSG) in the grand Winfest Kabaret 2025 event on Saturday, May 10, 2025. With the theme “From Zero to Hero,” this festival was not only a competition, but also a platform to instill moral values of heroism in the younger generation through creative and dynamic cabaret performances. A total of 15 theater groups from four major cities in West Java competed for the title of best group.
A Grand Stage for Thousands of Art Activists
Winfest Kabaret 2025 is clear evidence of the rising spirit of performing arts in recent years. Laila Samrotul Fuada, as the Executive Chair, revealed that this event was designed to respond to the needs of cabaret activists for a meaningful stage for their work. “The background is that we want to create a platform for cabaret artists to showcase their work, while also instilling the moral values of a hero. We want to show that a hero does not have to be someone great, but someone who starts from nothing and becomes someone of value,” she said.
The enthusiasm was evident from the number of participants, which reached 15 teams from Bandung, Cimahi, Sukabumi, and Bogor. In addition, the event attracted more than 1,200 visitors who packed the Universitas Widyatama’s GSG from morning to night. According to Ibrahim Adi, S.Sn., M.Sn., Chairman of the Widyatama University Cabaret Advisory Board, the scale of this year’s event was beyond expectations. “I feel proud and touched because the committee’s months of preparation were not useless. There were 15 participants, which is probably the largest cabaret festival that has been held in the last five years,” he said.
Full Support from the Government and Appreciation from Academics
The success of Winfest Kabaret 2025 cannot be separated from the synergy and support of various parties. This event is the result of collaboration between Universitas Widyatama and the West Java Provincial Education Office as well as the Bandung City Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar). Abraham, representing the Head of Tourism at Disbudpar Bandung City, expressed his deep appreciation. “This festival is not just an entertainment stage, but also a place to express cultural identity and unlimited creativity. We are proud to be part of this effort, because festivals like this emphasize Bandung’s image as a city with a vibrant cultural arts ecosystem,” said Abraham in his speech.
Similar support also came from the West Java Provincial Government, which hopes that this activity can be sustained to build the character of the younger generation. From an academic perspective, I Gede Nyoman Wisnu Satyadharma, S.T., M.Sn., Head of the Student Affairs Bureau at Widyatama University, expressed his pride. “Winfest is something to be very proud of. Hopefully, through this event, participants can express their expertise and bring honor to their respective schools or organizations,” he said.
The Excitement of the Show and the Enthusiasm of the Audience
From the moment the gates opened at 7:30 a.m., the spirit of competition and creativity was already alive. The packed schedule of events, starting with the opening ceremony, important speeches, and performances by 15 participants in succession, kept the audience’s energy high. Each team presented their unique interpretation of the theme “heroes,” combining elements of comedy, drama, music, and dance in a distinctive cabaret format. The atmosphere became even more lively with the presence of guest stars such as JI3, UBC, and DJ Bob, who gave stunning performances towards the climax of the event.
The enthusiasm came not only from the participants, but also from the visitors who came to show their support. “My friend is performing, so we came here to support our friends. We hope our friends will win, so even if they are not the best performers, it’s still good. Hopefully everything will go smoothly,” said one of the visitors. This supportive atmosphere created a positive energy that covered the entire event until the award night.
In closing, Winfest Kabaret 2025 proved itself to be more than just a festival. This event successfully became a spark of enthusiasm, a space for expression, and a character laboratory for hundreds of young people. With high hopes from various parties, the festival is expected to continue and grow in the coming years, producing not only champions but also new, inspiring works. “The most important thing here is that everyone will be a champion, but what’s even more important is that this event can inspire and be continuous,” concluded Ibrahim Adi hopefully.
