The park which built on the banks of the Bengawan Solo river is an appreciation to keroncong which entitled the same name of the river which crossed in eastern boundary of Solo, Bengawan Solo. Bengawan Solo song was heard up around the world especially in Japan. The popularity is so popular overthere, that in the end Japan made a park on the edge of Bengawan Solo as a reward for the development of keroncong. And the park that was built in 1983 known as Gesang Park.
Concrete walls blocking the view towards the Bengawan Solo river, which makes the river water flow can not be enjoyed again when entering this park. A white-shaped gate with red letter on the front, greeted the visitors when arrived in front of Taman Gesang. Paint that peeling and the roof on the gate that has no trace again makes entrance to this park like not maintained. Not only the condition of the gate is unfortunate but also with a inscription difficult to read again. The inscription that is located right after this entrance gate is a stone that signifies inauguration of Gesang Park which was built in 1983 and inaugurated on October 1, 1993.
 |
| Gates Gesang Park | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| The inscription signifies inauguration of Gesang Park which was built in 1983 and inaugurated on October 1, 1993. Pic. Misterransel |
The plants in Gesang Park left untreated so make the condition not worth mentioning as a park. The triumph of the Gesang Park is growing dimmer, forgotten among the large visitors in Jurug. The condition of all the buildings in the Park have been so alarming, roofs that embellish the already no longer a trace is left now is only the pillars supporting the building. Especially after the maestro passed away, the fate of the Gesang Park was abandoned.
 |
| Inside of Gesang Park | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Inside of Gesang Park | Pic. Misterransel |
In the midst of the park, there is also one inscription marks the beginning of building of Gesang Park funded by the Society Gesang Funds in 1983. Not far from inscription is an fugure of Gesang and an inscription that reads the original particles song of the Bengawan Solo.
 |
| Gesang Statue | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| The inscription marks the beginning of building of Gesang Park by the Society Gesang Funds in 1983. Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Bengawan Solo particles | Pic. Misterransel |
From a distance it appears that Jurug bridges built during the Government of Paku Buwono X still standing upright despite his age also are out of date. A plane also adorn the corners of Gesang Park, whatever didn’t know the corelation, maybe just an extra ornament only.
 |
| Welcome The Sasakawa Peace Foundation | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| The Plane | Pic. Misterransel |
Not many people set his feet in the Gesang Park. Bare poles seems to be the uniqueness of its own even though it exists because an irony. The popularity of Gesang and Bengawan Solo does not immediately make Gesang Park survived as running times. It needs a helping hand so that Gesang Park are back “Gesang”.
The presence of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation answered the invitation of Dompet Dhuafa to present at solo city can make optimistic Solo citizens especially fans of Gesang. Previously, Dompet Dhuafa at the end of 2017 got an invitation from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to Japan to learn about the profile of the movement institution. In that time Dompet Dhuafa brought proposals Gesang Park that ultimately make Sasakawa Peace Foundation interested to synergize with Dompet Dhuafa.
 |
| Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Welcoming The Sasakawa Peace Foundation | Pic. Misterransel |
On this occasion the team representative from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation came to do research in Solo and Yogyakarta. Sasakawa Peace Foundation representative while seeing the condition of Gesang Park. The park has a historical with Japan because the park was built by donation citizens of Japan.
Hope with the visiting of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa can be a momentum for the birth of sister city cooperation. On the occasion of the event "Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City", Sasakawa Peace Foundation exploring possibilities of sister city cooperation between Tono City and Solo City.
 |
| Entry Gate Jurug Zoo Solo | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Welcoming The Sasakawa Peace Foundation | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Coloring competition with the kids | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Felling thirsty | Pic. Misterransel |
At first the sister city cooperation is cooperation between the City Governments in one country with the City Government in the foreign which oriented efforts to grewup develop a relation of friendship and mutual understanding. But now shifted towards the concrete collaboration and mutual benefit.
Sister city cooperation is viewed very helpful for functions the Government's in building local government and communities to participate actively in development. Sister city cooperation with partners abroad are directed to the Organization of relationships and cooperation fruitful and mutually beneficial.
 |
| Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Chit chat with Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Dompet Dhuafa | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Chit chat with Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Dompet Dhuafa | Pic. Misterransel |
Sister city cooperation is the agreement of cooperation between two cities, provincial-level regions, state or prefectures that have one or more characteristics of the similarity of the two areas where there were two different countries. Similitude for example there are similarities in culture, historical background or are there mutual attachment to each other, in this case for example Gesang Park was built on Government Japan award over the development of Indonesian music keroncong.
Cooperation involving the two parties have a success if the two sides can work well together. In addition both parties must be able to support each other in various matters relating to cooperation as long as it for the benefit of both cities. This is very important because of the cooperation would be useless if only one party who responds and works well, also this will be not worth it if both parties do not support each other.
Not only that, both parties must have the desire to start a cooperation, namely with always have a desire to do and trying to keep braiding communication between both parties. This is done so that there is always a communication woke up between the two parties. So if there is something wrong may soon be on the handle properly. In addition the two sides should be able to exchange experience, as well as information about technology.
 |
| Shelter shop by Dompet Dhuafa | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Shelter shop by Dompet Dhuafa | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| Shelter shop by Dompet Dhuafa | Pic. Misterransel |
 |
| SPF chit chat with seller in shelter shop | Pic. Misterransel |
In the event of "Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City" Representative Sasakawa Peace Foundation are invited to take advantage of Dompet Dhuafa visits with various products batik and introduces the cultures. In addition to visiting empowerment programs of Dompet Dhuafa in Solo and Yogyakarta, they visited herb village Baitul Maal Tamwil (BMT) and shelter shop in Jurug Zoo Solo.
Hopefully with the "Promoting Cultural Approach Between Tono City and Solo City" supported by Dompet Dhuafa, sister city cooperation between Tono City and Solo City soon be realized.
