UNAIR NEWS “ 51¶¯Âþ () is set to host the from Sunday, July 28, to Thursday, August 1, 2024. Ahead of the main conference and festival, ICAS has organized a warm-up event titled ICAS 13 PRE-EVENT Dolan Kapirel: Surabaya Train Track Kampung Festival.
The pre-event took place on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Dupak Magersari and Tambak Bayan urban communities. The event was organized by Arsitek Komunitas (Arkom) East Java, the EUTENIKA Association, and the Southeast Asia Neighborhood Network (SEANNET), with support from the Tambak Bayan Art Institute. Over 40 participants attended.
“This event aims to give 13th ICAS participants insight into life in Surabaya’s urabn communities. We chose these two communities because of their unique ways of addressing their community issues. Dupak Magersari community is in a dispute with the railway company KAI, and Tambak Bayan community has a conflict with a hotel,” explained Puspitaningtyas Sulistyowati, the Arkom coordinator.
Agenda
The pre-event in Dupak Magersari featured a workshop on making dandang (traditional rice steamers). In Tambak Bayan, there were two activities: a lantern decorating workshop, traditional art performances, and a food bazaar.
“In Tambak Bayan, the community regularly makes lanterns for cultural events, and participants were invited to decorate these lanterns. In Dupak Magersari, known for its dandang production, participants were introduced to the dandang and its manufacturing process,” she explained.
Sulistyowati stressed the importance of raising awareness about issues in Surabaya’s urban communities. She also hopes that researchers will bring these community problems to the government’s attention to find collaborative solutions.
Warm-ups before conference
Evelyne Shamier, a participant from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, praised the event. She noted that the warm-up activity allowed her to get to know other conference participants better.
“I had no expectations before attending this event. But upon arrival, I was surprised and touched by the warm welcome from the locals and the opportunity to meet people from around the world. I thoroughly enjoyed the event,” she said.
Shamier hopes similar events will be held regularly, as they benefit the local community and provide unique experiences not easily found elsewhere. “Especially the hands-on activities, which are great for researchers. It™s a nice break from constantly being in front of a computer. And the food was lovely,” she added.
Author: Muhammad Naqsya Riwansia & Satrio Dwi N
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin Ariyadi Putra
