MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Waas is committed to transforming the Catholic choral festival Pesparani into a prestigious annual event in the city, similar to the well-known Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ). The Medan City Government is also considering combining Pesparani with Pesparawi in an interfaith choir festival to further strengthen harmony and diversity in North Sumatra's capital.
The statement was delivered during an audience with the board members of LP3KD Kota Medan at the Mayor's special reception room at Medan City Hall on Friday, May 22, 2026.
LP3KD Prepares Inauguration and Competition Agenda
Read Also: Rico Waas Opens Medan Student Sports Week 2026, 1,100 Young Athletes Compete Chairman of LP3KD Kota Medan, Antonius Tumanggor, accompanied by Secretary Pinta Omastri Pandiangan, explained that the official board decree had been issued on October 25, 2025. They also informed the mayor about the planned inauguration ceremony in July 2026, as well as preparations for Medan's delegation to participate in the provincial-level Pesparani in Pematangsiantar and the national event in Manado in November 2026.
"We hope the inauguration can be held soon because many development programs are already being prepared, including the formation of church choirs at the district level, outreach programs in parishes, and preparations for Pesparani Kota Medan, which is expected to take place in August," Antonius said.
Expanding Church Choir Development Across MedanIn addition to the inauguration agenda, LP3KD Kota Medan also requested financial support from the city government to strengthen various Catholic religious and cultural programs in Medan.
Read Also: Medan Mayor Calls on Students to Reject Online Gambling Rico Waas emphasized that the city administration fully supports the development of religious choral arts. According to him, such festivals can encourage creativity while also strengthening relationships among religious communities.
"The inauguration can be held anytime, ideally in July. We certainly want this program to run successfully and smoothly," Rico Waas said, accompanied by Head of the Medan Fire and Rescue Department Wandro Malau, Acting Head of BKAD Suluh, and Prayogi, Head of Junior High School Development at the Medan Education and Culture Office.
The mayor also confirmed that the city government would review the proposed financial support in accordance with applicable regulations.
Proposal for Joint Pesparani and Pesparawi Festival
Read Also: Rico Waas Strengthens Cooperation with North Sumatra DPRD to Accelerate Medan Development Rico Waas believes Medan has significant potential in choral music and is capable of competing with other regions. Therefore, he hopes Pesparani can grow into a highly anticipated annual event with strong public appeal.
"This choir competition can become a prestigious event in Medan, similar to the MTQ. That is my hope," he stated.
Furthermore,
Rico Waas proposed organizing Pesparani and Pesparawi together as an interfaith arts and choir festival. He said such a concept could further strengthen Medan's identity as an inclusive and open city.
"It could become a permanent annual event, even jointly organized between Pesparani and Pesparawi. The Medan City Government fully supports activities like these, from neighborhood and district levels up to the city level," Rico Waas explained.
Read Also: Medan Mayor Pushes Digital Reform and Transparency in Traffic Agency According to the mayor, the initiative aligns with the city government's guiding principle of "Medan for All," which continues to be promoted throughout the city.
"This demonstrates that Medan is open to everyone," he concluded. (IDNC)
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