Penelehhistory.com: Surabaya (28/5/24) – Dozens of architects who are members of the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) East Java took to the field at the Peneleh European Cemetery to support conservation efforts at the Peneleh Cemetery, especially the 10 selected graves. This conservation effort is carried out within the Peneleh as a Living Library program, which is a collaboration between Begandring Soerabaia (Indonesia) and TiMe Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Collaboration Initiative with Untag Surabaya
The IAI East Java activities lasting for two days (28-29/5/24) are initiated by the University of 17 August 45 (Untag) Surabaya, which is involved in the Peneleh as a Living Library activity. Begandring Soerabaia, TiMe Amsterdam, and Untag Surabaya previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2024.
Joint Conservation Workshop
This two-day joint activity brings the theme Conservation of the Surabaya Peneleh Cemetery and is attended by 25 architects from the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) East Java along with Untag Surabaya officials Retno Hastijanti and Faisal. Partners from the Netherlands, Max Meijer and Petra Timmer, also participated.
Representatives of these three institutions: Retno Hastijanti, Faisal, and Max Meijer took part in the workshop, which was held at Lodji Besar, the basecamp and secretariat of Begandring Soerabaia.
Background of the Conservation Project
The workshop aimed to provide background knowledge about the cross-country activity, called Peneleh as a Living Library. It is hoped that the participating architects can contribute to the Peneleh European Cemetery conservation project.
The Peneleh Cemetery spans 4.5 hectares with thousands of graves, but only 10 selected graves will be conserved by 2024. These graves belong to prominent figures who contributed to the city of Surabaya and the Dutch East Indies government. Among them are the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies Peter Merkus and the Resident of Surabaya Daniel Francois Willem Pietermaat.
Designation of Tasks
Each architect is assigned according to their scientific field and capacities, with the results supporting the conservation of the Peneleh Cemetery in the Peneleh as a Living Library program. They are tasked with designing 10 graves.
Community Engagement and Observations
In the workshop, related material was presented to explain why there is collaboration between Begandring Soerabaia and TiMe Amsterdam with the Peneleh object. The cemetery, community, and environment are considered essential parts of the program.
In this program, Peneleh is a library, while the communities with local potential are “books”. Visitors can “read” these books by directly interacting with local residents and observing potential objects.
Theoretical and Empirical Approach
During the morning workshop session, Kuncarsono (Begandring) presented the Role of Media in the conservation of the Peneleh Cemetery. Meanwhile, Nanang discussed the Role of Community in the Peneleh as a Living Library program.
After the theoretical session, participants were invited to the cemetery to empirically identify the 10 cemetery objects selected for this project.
Positive Response from TiMe Amsterdam
Max Meijer from TiMe Amsterdam followed the entire activity, from theoretical workshops to field visits at the Peneleh European Cemetery. He expressed satisfaction and happiness with the collaboration between Begandring Soerabaia and Untag Surabaya.
Official Opening
The day’s activity was officially opened by Imam Agus Sonhaji, the Mayor’s assistant on Economic and Development. This collaboration is expected to strengthen the conservation of the Peneleh European Cemetery and promote it as a historical tourism destination in Surabaya.
