The excitement of the 37th PIMNAS (National Student Science Week) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continued with a special event that drew significant attention: UNAIR Berkain. Held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, this event was part of the National Batik Day celebration while highlighting the spirit of cultural preservation. More than 1000 UNAIR academic members, including alumni, students, and university officials, elegantly showcased Nusantara fabrics in a festive parade.
The event was initiated by Yuliati Umrah, an alumna of UNAIR’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) class of 1993, who is also the Executive Director of ALIT Indonesia. With a vision to preserve traditional fabrics, the parade displayed a rich variety of textiles, from classic to modern batik, demonstrating that Indonesian attire is not only something to be proud of but also worth preserving.
Spirit of Cross-Generational Collaboration
What made this event even more special was the cross-generational participation. Imagine, from alumni of the class of ’74 to freshmen, all coming together for this celebration. The parade not only became a symbol of national pride in cultural heritage but also served as a way to strengthen the bonds within the academic community.
“UNAIR embodies the diversity of Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke,” said Yuliati in her remarks. She expressed that by participating in UNAIR Berkain, the participants are expected not only to look beautiful in traditional fabrics but also to understand the philosophy of ajining raga saka busana, which means that a person’s dignity is reflected in how they dress.
Representing Indonesia on the International Stage
This fabric parade also became an opportunity to showcase Indonesia on the global stage, as many of the fabrics displayed had already received recognition from UNESCO and the Berlin Museum of Art. Yuliati hopes that this event can become an annual tradition, enjoyed not only by the UNAIR community but also by the wider public. This is a real way for UNAIR to show that they are not only excelling academically but also playing a significant role in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.
