Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) made waves again at the 37th PIMNAS with its UNAIR Berkain event on Thursday, October 17, 2024. This event was not just a part of the PIMNAS series but also a celebration of National Batik Day, which takes place in October. What made this event special? Over 1,000 UNAIR academic members from different generations and backgrounds participated in the parade.
But this wasn’t just a fashion show. UNAIR Berkain carried a deeper message. Through this event, UNAIR aimed to showcase the richness and diversity of traditional Indonesian fabrics while educating the public on the importance of preserving this cultural heritage. According to UNAIR’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, this event is also a testament to the university’s commitment to preserving and promoting the nation’s cultural heritage, especially batik, which has been recognized globally.
“This is part of our effort to preserve and promote batik as an extraordinary cultural heritage of our nation,” said Prof. Nasih in his opening remarks. As a leading university, UNAIR feels a responsibility to ensure that local cultural values continue to thrive and are appreciated.
Pride in Preserving Culture
This event was not only appreciated by the senior generation. New students (freshmen) also felt the positive impact of UNAIR Berkain. Ara, a freshman from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, expressed her pride. “I’m so proud to be part of this event. UNAIR truly represents the diversity from Sabang to Merauke,” she said.
In addition to the parade, the variety of fabrics showcased ranged from classic to modern pieces. Some have even been recognized by UNESCO and the Museum of Art in Berlin, Germany. With this, UNAIR is not just a university but also a living and breathing center of cultural diversity.
