Penelehhistory.com: Surabaya (1/8/24) – Opening a cooperation agreement between Surabaya and the Netherlands is not impossible and is not a process that requires a long time. Several important events involving both parties have occurred under our noses and in front of our eyes.
The ICAS 13th Conference (13th International Convention for Asian Scholars), where the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia appeared as a speaker, was held in Surabaya. A collaborative project between Surabaya and the Netherlands through the role of communities in both countries is also underway in Surabaya. The exhibition at the former De Javasche Bank, now the BI museum, was opened by Dutch Ambassador Lambert Grijns. The most important thing was the meeting between the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi and the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Lambert Grijns, who also discussed the potential that has become a shared history between Surabaya and the Netherlands.
Naturally in Surabaya flows the legendary Kalimas river. Meanwhile in Rotterdam flows the iconic De Maas river. Plus, a modern architect named HP Berlage wrote in his book “Mijn Indische Reis” (1923) which has been updated in the new edition “Berlage di Nusantara” (2023) that Surabaya is the Rotterdam of Java. This is worthy of Surabaya’s distinction in the Surabaya – Rotterdam Sister City Cooperation concept. Meanwhile, Jakarta has become the Sister City of Jakarta – Amsterdam.
According to Max Meijer, director of TiMe Amsterdam, Surabaya could become Rotterdam’s Sister City. Max also reminded that if we want to realize and develop a heritage project, we must combine tangible sources (buildings and sites) and intangible heritage (stories, local knowledge, traditional technology, local language, literature and music).
Moreover, the city of Surabaya with the Red Bridge area has become the Old Town area, which in the European zone, displays the architectural richness of colonial buildings. One of the monumental buildings, the work of architect Berlage, has also attracted the attention of Berlage activists in the Netherlands and Europe. In fact, to mark 100 years of Berlage’s presence in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, (1923-2023), they published a book “Berlage di Nusantara”.
Meanwhile, the European Town area itself opens up many opportunities for the future of Surabaya based on history, cultural and cultural heritage and tourism.
Not only that, attention from individuals to European professionals, especially the Netherlands, is also increasing with the presence of Kota Lama and the Peneleh as a Living Library project.
So, what are we waiting for for a mutual collaboration to be realized, the impact of which will make the Surabaya-Dutch cooperative relations even better and mutually beneficial. With the collaboration that can be accommodated in the Sister City Surabaya Rotterdam program, there will be many opportunities for collaboration in the fields of education, heritage, history, culture, tourism and education. (Nanang)