Penelehhistory.com: Surabaya (24/5/24) – Since Wednesday, 22 May 2024, the archaeological team from the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI East Java, accompanied by staff from the City Culture, Youth, Sports and Tourism Service (Disbuporapar) Surabaya visited the Peneleh European Cemetery. They were accompanied by the Begandring Team to conduct studies and research on several tombs, which are chosen as the objects of conservation efforts in the “Peneleh as a Living Library” program. This is a collaborative program between the Begandring Soerabaia community (Indonesia) and TiMe Amsterdam (Netherlands) to make Peneleh a Living Library. This program is funded by Dutch Culture, a Cultural Heritage agent, the Royal Dutch Government and supported by the Surabaya City government and the University of 17 August 1945 (Untag) Surabaya.
Peneleh European Cemetery is a part of Peneleh as a Living Library. In the Peneleh European Cemetery itself, there are 8 – 10 graves to be studied and used as conservation projects. Among them is the grave of P.J.B. Perez, Governor General Pieter Merkus, Photographer O Kurkdjian, linguist Herman van der Tuuk, resident Daniel Francois Willem Petermaat, ethnic political activist Schmutzer, Paul F. Cornelli (ACW) and Catholic Father van den Elsen.
It is in the eight selected graves that the archaeological team from BPK XI, consisting of four people led by Nugroho Harjo Lukito, conduct the research. They identify damage to the physical structure of the tomb, such as in the Schmutzer grave where the cross structure made of marble was tilted. Likewise, at the grave of Surabaya resident Petermaat, the walls of the tomb have been destroyed and the marble tombstone with the inscription on Petermaat’s history has disappeared. Others include the graves of Catholic priest Van den Elsen, Governor General Pieter Merkus and photographer O Kurkdjian. Each grave has different damage. As of Thursday (23/5/24) this activity was still ongoing.
It is planned that this research will last for five days. The results will be the basis for recommendations for cemetery conservation, which are linked to the Peneleh as Living Library Project.
Dr. Ir. Retno Hastinanti, Chair of the Surabaya City Heritage Expert Team (TACB), who is also the PIC of the Peneleh project representing academics of the University of 17 August 1945 (Untag) Surabaya, said that this project is a conservation effort.
“Like at the Petermaat grave, we are not rebuilding the iron fence that has collapsed and disappeared. We are conserving the grave that still exist,” said Hasti on a previous occasion at an online meeting.
However, the results of the study and research of the BPK Region XI will be synergized with Peneleh as Living Library activities.
This activity will be a report submitted to partners from the Netherlands, TiMe Amsterdam, which is scheduled to be in Surabaya on 28 May – 1 June 2024. Apart from that, TiMe Amsterdam will also visit the project plan at the Peneleh Cemetery.
Petra Timmer, one of the PICs from TiMe Amsterdam, will invite Sister Lucia Anggraeni from the Ursuline Convent in Malang to take a close look at the graves of the Ursuline Sisters in Peneleh. Sister Lucia Anggraeni is a historian of the Ursuline Sisters.
According to the agenda, TiMe Amsterdam will also discuss the Berlage Building (Gedung Zinga) with Muhammad Haris Arifin from Gajah Mada University after being informed r that the Building being offered again for sale. The Building, which is located in the European City area of Surabaya, is a dream to be connected to Peneleh’s Cemetery. Because the family that owned the Berlage Building, the Hemert family, are buried in Peneleh. (nng)
Thank you for inviting me to Peneleh-Lodji Besar and discussing-sharing our interest. May God blesses your effort to make the dream come true: the Living Library Peneleh.