CCN, Cilegon – The Cultural Preservation Center Region VIII (BPK VIII) of the Directorate General of Culture at the Ministry of Education and Culture held an event titled “Sarasehan Komunitas Budaya” (Cultural Community Gathering) on Thursday, October 29, 2024, at a coffee cafe in Cilegon. The event was attended by dozens of artists and cultural figures from various communities and art studios in the city of Cilegon.
The Head of BPK Region VIII, Lita Rahmiati, explained that the event aimed to foster partnerships to explore, identify, and disseminate information about the culture in Cilegon.
“My hope is that this discussion doesn’t end here but instead leads us to contribute on a broader scale, elevating Cilegon to new heights,” said Lita.
She also highlighted the importance of collaboration between culture and industry. “Although Cilegon is known as an industrial city, that does not mean we should sideline culture. Instead, we should find ways for the two to support each other,” she added. Lita encouraged participants to learn from other regions, such as South Tangerang, which has successfully improved the quality of its human resources. “Let’s enhance the quality of human resources in Cilegon so that our culture remains vibrant amid industrial growth,” she said.
After the opening remarks from the Head of BPK Region VIII, the event continued with a question-and-answer session and an informal discussion moderated by Bahroni. The session featured two guest speakers: Hj. Heni Anita Susila, Head of the Cilegon Education and Culture Office, and Ahdi Z. Amri, representative of the Cilegon Arts Council.
In her presentation, Heni Anita stated that although Cilegon is an industrial city, it remains committed to preserving its cultural identity. “Cultural preservation is a vital effort in maintaining our local identity. We want future generations to recognize and appreciate this valuable heritage,” she said. She also noted that her office has inventoried cultural assets in Cilegon, including historical sites, traditional objects, and oral traditions, as an initial step toward preservation.
Ahdi Z. Amri emphasized the crucial role of local communities in preserving regional culture. “Local communities are the custodians and drivers of culture, and they safeguard the traditions and cultural values that define our region’s identity. They preserve the arts, language, music, dance, and traditional ceremonies that may be less known to outsiders. This is essential to prevent the loss of local cultural identity,” Ahdi explained.
Ahdi also highlighted the role of communities in conveying the local wisdom passed down through generations. “These values are embedded in daily life, whether in traditional ceremonies or other cultural practices. Without community involvement, it’s challenging for this local wisdom to be effectively implemented and preserved,” he concluded.
The gathering is expected to yield concrete ideas that can be implemented collectively by communities, the government, and other stakeholders to preserve the culture of Cilegon amidst industrial development. (***)
