UNAIR NEWS – The 37th National Student Science Week (PIMNAS) continues at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). On its third day, Thursday (October 17, 2024), the event became even more vibrant with the UNAIR Berkain parade, which also marks Indonesia’s National Batik Day, commemorated every October.
National Batik Day celebrates Indonesia’s pride in its cultural heritage, particularly its traditional cloth, which have garnered global recognition. UNAIR participated by hosting a traditional cloth parade, featuring 1,000 members of the university community.
The concept of the “Berkain” event arose from the understanding that UNAIR’s academic community is made up of individuals from various ethnic groups, nations, and backgrounds. The event was warmly embraced, with participants ranging from alumni of the class of 1974, international students, university administrators, to first-year students.
UNAIR Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE, MT, Ak, stated that the event underscores the university’s commitment to preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage. “This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to help protect and promote batik, which is an exceptional aspect of our national culture,” he said.
Celebrating diversity
The event was organized by Yuliati Umrah, a 1993 graduate of UNAIR’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and Executive Director of ALIT Indonesia. Umrah, who was recognized by the U.S. government as one of the “Top 80 Alternative World Leaders,” personally coordinated the event with full support from the PIMNAS 37 UNAIR organizing team.
The wide variety of traditional cloth showcased during the parade highlighted Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity. The collection included batik from both classical and modern eras. “When we talk about traditional heritage cloth, UNAIR is a perfect representation. In this parade, UNAIR displayed authentic Nusantara cloth, some of which have been recognized by the Museum of Art in Berlin, Germany. The batik featured here has also been recognized by UNESCO,” Umrah said.
The philosophy behind traditional clothing is captured in the saying, “ajining raga saka busana,” which means one’s dignity is reflected in their attire. This traditional cloth parade is intended to educate the public on the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. UNAIR Berkain is expected to be an annual tradition, fostering a sense of community among the university’s members.
Sense of pride
Ara, a student from UNAIR’s Faculty of Humanities, expressed her pride in participating. She emphasized that UNAIR Berkain represents the dedication of the academic community across generations to Indonesian culture. “I’m really proud to be part of this event, especially as a first-year student. It has given us a chance to learn more about UNAIR and how it represents the diversity of Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke,” she said.
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah
Editor : Edwin Fatahuddin
